In brief
On Friday, ten demolition workers in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, were taken to hospitals after experiencing headaches and nausea. Authorities suspect carbon monoxide from an engine‑powered high‑pressure washer and are investigating the incident. All patients remained conscious and are receiving care.
In the early hours of Friday, October 6, 2026, a demolition crew in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, was struck by a sudden illness.
According to the Hakodate Fire Department, a dispatch was received around 9:05 a.m. local time when several workers complained of headaches and nausea while carrying out interior work inside a building slated for demolition.
The firefighters arrived on scene and discovered ten men and women—ranging in age from teens to their 60s—who were in distress.
The fire department said that some of the injured were unable to move without assistance, yet all remained conscious as paramedics transported them to hospital.
All ten were taken to a local medical facility for evaluation and treatment of the suspected symptoms.
Investigators are looking into the cause and suspect that carbon monoxide may have seeped into the work area.
Preliminary assessment points to a high‑pressure washer powered by an internal combustion engine as a potential source of the toxic gas.
Local fire officials believe the engine may have been operating at the site during the collapse work and could have released carbon monoxide into the enclosed interior space.
The department has stated that they are currently assessing how the gas may have accumulated and how it reached the workers.
Authorities have reiterated that the ten patients are being monitored and that none have suffered severe long‑term effects at this time.
Officials said the workers were treated for nausea, headache, and dizziness, symptoms commonly associated with carbon monoxide exposure.
At the time of the incident, the demolition team was working under the direction of a licensed contractor, and safety protocols were reportedly in place.
Management has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and to provide any information related to the equipment used at the job site.
The incident is being treated as a serious safety concern, with local authorities calling for increased oversight of demolition equipment that may emit harmful gases.
To date, no other similar incidents have been reported at the site, and the fire department has not identified any additional hazards.
Witnesses at the site reported hearing the hum of the high‑pressure washer and noted that ventilation was limited during the work haul.
Officials have stated that further details will be released as the investigation continues, pending safety checklists and equipment logs.
Until then, employees of the contractor and other workers in the region are being urged to remain alert to any potential fumes while performing demolition or interior site clearing.
