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Technical Fault Sends Fireworks Into Crowd at Fuenlabrada Fair

Authorities have halted the display and launched an inquiry to find out if equipment failure, installation error or operator mistake caused ground-level detonations

Overview

  • During the Fiestas Patronales at La Pollina, a fireworks show that began late Sunday night was stopped after about 10 minutes when several shells exploded at ground level and landed near spectators.
  • Four people were taken to the Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada with minor injuries, three have been discharged, and Mayor Javier Ayala visited the hospital and offered municipal support.
  • Emergency crews quickly extinguished two or three small grass fires at the site and the event was suspended to secure the area and protect attendees.
  • The city council, the Policía Local and the contracted pyrotechnics company opened a joint investigation to establish whether a technical defect, faulty setup or human error caused the malfunction; local parties have requested full information.
  • The incident could prompt tighter on-site safety checks and stricter oversight of future displays at the fair, which runs from September 11 to 17 and normally features a half-hour fireworks program.