Seven people were taken to hospital after a large tree suddenly collapsed onto a sports field during an elementary school football tournament in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Sunday.
According to local authorities, the injured included two preschool girls who suffered minor injuries, while five women aged between their 30s and 40s sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. Officials said none of the victims are in life-threatening condition.
Police received an emergency call at about 12.05pm local time reporting that a tree, estimated to be around 20 metres tall, had fallen onto the sports ground, injuring several spectators.
Authorities believe those injured were parents and children who had gathered to watch the youth football tournament, which had been taking place over two days since Saturday.
Although rain fell in Gotemba on Saturday night, weather officials reported no rainfall on Sunday. Investigators have yet to determine whether the earlier wet weather contributed to the tree’s collapse.
A witness said a loud cracking sound was heard moments before the tree suddenly fell during an ongoing match, sending spectators scrambling for safety.
The incident triggered a large emergency response, with several ambulances dispatched to the scene and one of the injured airlifted to hospital by a medical helicopter.
The sports field is located within a resort complex that also features a hotel, hot spring facilities and tennis courts. Authorities are investigating the cause of the tree’s collapse.
