In brief
At a demolition site in Hakodate City, northern Hokkaido, ten workers were hospitalized on Friday after experiencing headaches and nausea, suspected to be caused by carbon monoxide. Local fire authorities blamed an engine‑powered high‑pressure washer and begun investigation into the incident.
At roughly 9:05 a.m. on Friday, emergency responders were called to a building demolition site in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, where ten workers were reported having fallen ill.
The workers, men and women ranging in age from teenagers to people in their sixties, complained of headaches and nausea and were transported to hospital. Some felt so weak they needed assistance to move, yet all remained conscious, the Hakodate Fire Department said.
According to the local fire authorities, an engine‑powered high‑pressure washer was believed to have been operating on the site. The machinery is suspected of creating a buildup of carbon monoxide, which the workers may have inhaled during interior work.
The incident has prompted an investigation by Japanese fire officials, who have warned that high‑pressure washbers can produce dangerous levels of fumes if not used properly.
While the fire department expressed concern about the possibility of a widespread environmental hazard at the site, no other injuries or fatalities have been reported to date.
The workers were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment and monitoring. Medical staff there have so far confirmed that the suspected symptoms line up with mild to moderate carbon monoxide exposure, though full diagnostic results will be released later this week.
Officials from the Hokkaido Fire Department are working with the site’s subcontractors to ascertain whether safety protocols were followed during the demolition process, and whether the high‑pressure washer’s exhaust vents were properly cleared.
At the same time, the Japanese Ministry of Environment has called for a review of ventilation requirements at similar construction and demolition sites across the country.
Meanwhile, the local mayor held a brief press briefing, stating that the city would cooperate fully with the investigation and would issue any updates as more information becomes available.
