Student accidentally sets off fireworks on train

Monday 10th August, 08:13 AM JST

GIFU —

A 16-year-old male high school student accidentally set off fireworks inside a train on the JR Chuo line heading through Ena City, filling the carriage with smoke, on Sunday morning. No injuries were reported.

According to police, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on a west-bound express train. The student, who was riding with around 10 friends at the front of the train, lit a firework, filling the carriage with smoke and causing the driver to stop at Takenami station.

The students were on their way to go camping. The boy in question told police, “I was just joking and was going to pretend to light it, but I accidentally lit it for real. I’m really sorry for having caused trouble.”

News reports

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Latest 15 of 47 Total Comments Show All

mnemosyne23 at 10:44 PM JST - 10th August

How do you "accidentally" light a firework? You either flip open the lighter or you don't. You either strike the match or you don't. I know teenagers are generally stupid when it comes to matters of personal safety and property damage, but come on -- this takes the cake.

Can the police arrest him on unlawful obstruction of business, ala the JR employee who pushed the emergency button on his train to have a legitimate excuse for being late to work? Book him, or make him pay a hefty fine. His parents will NOT be happy having to shell out a substantial amount of cash for something this foolish. You want a deterrent? Furious parents, that's a darn good deterrent.
helloklitty at 10:59 PM JST - 10th August

Punish him for his dangerous stupidity.

Fireworks should be banned anyway.

People participate due to peer pressure. Nobody really enjoys them.
lunchmeat at 11:09 PM JST - 10th August

I was just going to pretend to peel off your skin and ...
jessssicaaa at 11:55 PM JST - 10th August

A fine will be good.. problem solved move on ;D
cuddles2009 at 11:57 PM JST - 10th August

deffinition of stupidity = 1 brainless 16 year, old mix in 10 other brainless school mates of similar IQ, an enclosed area (such as a train carrage) and you have potential disaster.

Yes he had the lighter, and I guess his 10 friends forced his hand to the firework.

He`s sorry....He made a mistake....HE MADE A MISTAKE.....HUH? HIS MISTAKE WAS SHOWING OFF IN FRONT OF HIS SCHOOL MATES AND ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF OTHER PASSANGERS.
Badge213 at 02:25 AM JST - 11th August

Kids do stupid things sometimes.
Icewind007 at 03:05 AM JST - 11th August

It doesn't matter what the outcome is, a mistake is a mistake. It everything turns out ok, it is a mistake... if it turns into a disaster, it's still a mistake.

Kids do stupid things and learn from mistakes... it's part of growing up. MOST boys have endangered someone's life with their antics at some point in their teenage life, either with driving, making dangerous dares, doing something that they thought would be good at the time, etc. If you don't realize this either you are too old to remember, you are not a guy, or you are just dense. I sure as hell had my moments when I was a teenager...

This kid should be dealt with strictly, but nothing more than that. Remove privileges or put him on some kind of community service (do they have that in Japan?). Nothing more.
amerijap at 03:49 AM JST - 11th August

“I was just joking and was going to pretend to light it, but I accidentally lit it for real. I’m really sorry for having caused trouble.”

THIS IS NOT A PRANK. WHAT WAS HE THINKING IN HIS HEAD???? IF YOU HAVE A LIGHTER AND FIRE-HAZARD MATERIALS ON YOUR HANDS...., IT'S NO-LAUGHTING MATTER!!! GET A CLUE, YOU STUPID KID!!!
Fadamor at 04:50 AM JST - 11th August

No need to shout. I'm sure he has a clue now. As was stated previously: A risky stunt in front of friends usually does not turn out as planned. The fact that no one was injured is a blessing. I imagine the kid isn't going to be trying that stunt again and has a new-found respect for the fuses used in fireworks. As far as the calls for banning fireworks in Japan, I'm thinking that will never happen based on how many festivals there are. Prohibiting their sale to minors will only mean the parents will buy them before handing them off to the kids.
bushlover at 05:20 AM JST - 11th August

Prosecute him to the fullest. Well we were going to let you off but you lit them in the train...
PepinGalarga at 09:45 AM JST - 11th August

those little sparklers sold in Japan could not even be considered "fireworks". We're talking M-80's, 1/4 sticks of dynamite and the usual rocket launchers and bazookas used where i live.
kamakuradude at 01:21 PM JST - 11th August

who cares? no one hurt, 16 years old.
KyotoChris at 01:34 AM JST - 12th August

He's still a kid so lighten up. No one was hurt and he learned a lesson.
TheguyNextdoor at 12:35 PM JST - 12th August

Boys will be boys
kirakira25 at 11:23 AM JST - 14th August

I don`t think there is an age limit for fireworks in Japan (UK is 16 or maybe 18 as I remember) but I think the fireworks here are pretty wussy anyway compared to the ones we can buy at home.

I can see both sides - no harm done, but on the other hand he should have known better. Would be interested to know exactly what he set off because there is a world of difference between those puny little sparklers and a socking great rocket.