At least 50 injured in Spanish fiesta fireworks blast

At least 50 people were injured Wednesday when fireworks exploded at the start of an annual fiesta in Noain, northern Spain, authorities said.

The incident happened around noon when a rocket was fired from the town hall balcony to launch the festival dedicated to St Michael, the town's patron saint.

Officials said it appeared that sparks from the first firework ignited several rockets that were due to be launched, causing some to fire downwards and explode among the crowd in the square below.

The regional government's health department said three men aged 41, 53 and 54 were treated for burns at hospital. Forty-seven people were treated at Noain's health centre, mainly for ear pain, burns and other injuries, and none required hospital treatment.

Images broadcast on Spanish television showed revellers, many dressed in traditional white clothing with red scarves, moving away from the town hall as the fireworks exploded.

The annual fiesta in the town near Pamplona lasts five days and includes a procession, communal meals and concerts. The celebrations continued as planned despite the injuries.