Hawaii Governor Josh Green said that a deadly New Year’s fireworks incident in the Honolulu neighborhood of Aliamanu caused “war-zone” injuries.

Newsweek reached out to the Honolulu Police Department via online form for comment Wednesday night.

Why It Matters

The incident that has left three dead and over 20 injured is significant as the United States has stringent laws regarding fireworks possession and usage, and there are not many incidents outside of the 4th of July that result in death or injury from fireworks.

What To Know

Green told reporters Wednesday about the victims who died, “We’re talking about the worst possible war zone injuries that took their lives.”

Three people died—two women at the scene and a third woman at a hospital—after a lit firework bundle tipped over and fired sideways into crates of additional fireworks, causing a blast that shot out shrapnel.

Several of those injured in the attack were in critical condition.

The explosion that occurred shortly before midnight on Tuesday at a three-story home with a bottom-level carport left debris scattered in front of the house and windows across the street shattered.

The Honolulu Police Department has classified the occurrence as a major incident and, in a statement, said that they were “working diligently to manage the situation and ensure the safety of everyone in the area,” according to Channel2Now.

On December 23, the Honolulu Police Department warned that only individuals with a permit may set off fireworks for the New Year’s holiday and that they can only be lit between 9 p.m. local time on December 31 and 1 a.m. local time on January 1.

What People Are Saying

Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland, at a news conference:”I’ve been in EMS over 30 years, and this is probably one of the worst calls I’ve ever been on as far as the immense tragedy and amount of patients and severity of the injuries.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, in a statement: “It is with both frustration and sorrow that I address the tragedy that occurred last night in Salt Lake just after midnight on New Year’s Eve.

“This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities,” he added.

What Happens Next

Honolulu Police Chief Arthur Logan said authorities have yet to determine whether charges for the person who lit the firework were warranted.

Meanwhile, Blangiardi said, “My administration remains committed to working with federal and state agencies to shut down this illegal firework trade once and for all. We will push for stronger enforcement, tougher penalties, new technologies, and a united effort to stop the import of illegal fireworks.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.