More than 50 people have been injured by an explosion probably caused by a gas cylinder just before a fireworks display in Japan's Kyoto prefecture.
The cylinder was close to a drinks and snacks counter, put in place for a grand fireworks festival, which takes place each summer in Japan.
An explosion was heard just before the start of the fireworks display and the counter and other objects were thrown in the air as a fire started and people fled, according to accounts and photographs posted on the Internet.
Kyodo News says 59 people were taken to hospital, including 19 seriously injured, some with burns over their entire bodies.
The fireworks show, which attracted about 110,000 spectators last year, was cancelled after the blast.
