3 men unconscious at a naked man festival


Three participants were left unconscious and in critical condition after an accident occurred during the Saidaiji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri, commonly known as the Naked Man Festival that took place on February 21 in Okayama Prefecture. 

Men clad only in loincloths vie for sacred wooden sticks in the traditional festival that has a more-than-500 year-history. It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

At around 10PM on February 21, approximately 10,000 naked men scrambled for a sacred wooden stick that was thrown into the crowd while spectators watched.

Six men participating in the event were transported by ambulance.

Three men aged between 42 and 58 from Okayama Prefecture were in critical condition and unconscious.

According to organizers, this is the first major accident at the venue since a fatal incident occurred in 2007.

Police are investigating the details of the accident.