2 killed, 20 injured in Honolulu New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion

A New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in Honolulu claimed the lives of two people and injured 10 others, authorities have confirmed, news agency AP reported.

The incident occurred shortly before midnight outside a house in a neighbourhood near the city’s international airport and a joint US Air Force and Navy base. The area is just over 3.2 kilometres east of the USS Arizona Memorial, which honours sailors who died in the Pearl Harbour attack that led to the US entering the Second World War.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining 10 victims were taken to hospital, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating the cause of the explosion but has not yet released details on how the incident occurred. Officials confirmed there was no fire at the property. The victims have not yet been identified.