Ten die in crowd crush after fireworks in Japan

A crushed baby stroller lays along the walkway where eight people were killed Saturday.

By Rebecca Mackinnon
CNN Tokyo Bureau

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- At least 10 people -- mostly children -- were killed and more than 112 others were injured in a stampede after a fireworks display in the town of Akashi, in western Japan, officials said Saturday.

Seven children -- including a 2-year-old child -- and one older woman were among the victims.

The stampede followed a beachfront fireworks display, a common summertime event in Japan, attended by about 150,000 people. After the show, there was a crush of people on a pedestrian overpass that crosses a road to the commuter train station.

VIDEO A crowd panics -- with tragic results after a fireworks display in Akashi, Japan. CNN's Rebecca MacKinnon reports (July 21) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Witnesses described being swept off their feet as a crowd of hundreds tried to rush from the beach to catch the train. They said the bridge became so packed that many had difficulty breathing.

Dozens of people were hospitalized and many more were treated by emergency medical workers on the scene.

Police said they were investigating the cause of the accident.

Akashi is in western Japan, in Hyogo prefecture, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo.