Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 3

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 2

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

PALLANUOTO - LEN Champions League - AN Brescia vs FTC Telekom

PALLANUOTO - LEN Champions League - AN Brescia vs FTC Telekom

Soma Vogel, goalkeeper of FTC Telekom Budapest during AN Brescia vs FTC Telekom, LEN Cup - Champions League waterpolo match in Brescia, Italy, October 29 2025

PALLANUOTO - LEN Champions League - Final Four - FTC Telekom Waterpolo vs CN Marseille

PALLANUOTO - LEN Champions League - Final Four - FTC Telekom Waterpolo vs CN Marseille

FTC Telekom Waterpolo's Soma Vogel saving and deflecting the ball during the LEN Champions League Final Four semi-final match between FTC Telekom and CN Marseille at the National Pool Complex in Gzira, Malta, on May 31, 2025. during Final Four - FTC Telekom Waterpolo vs CN Marseille, LEN Cup - Champions League waterpolo match in Malta, Malta, May 30 2025

PALLANUOTO - LEN Champions League - Final Four - FTC Telekom Waterpolo vs CN Marseille

PALLANUOTO - LEN Champions League - Final Four - FTC Telekom Waterpolo vs CN Marseille

FTC Telekom Waterpolo's Soma Vogel saving and deflecting the ball during the LEN Champions League Final Four semi-final match between FTC Telekom and CN Marseille at the National Pool Complex in Gzira, Malta, on May 31, 2025. during Final Four - FTC Telekom Waterpolo vs CN Marseille, LEN Cup - Champions League waterpolo match in Malta, Malta, May 30 2025

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

MINAMISOMA, Japan, May 25 Kyodo - People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Kyodo)

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 24, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 24, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 24, 2025.

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-WATER POLO

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-WATER POLO

(240807) -- PARIS, Aug. 7, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Goalkeeper Soma Vogel of Hungary celebrates after the water polo men's quarterfinal match between Hungary and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 7, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wang Yuguo)

Football: World Cup qualifier

Football: World Cup qualifier

Japan's Yuki Soma scores from the penalty spot in the second half of an Asian second-round qualifier for the 2026 World Cup against Syria at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima in the western Japan city of Hiroshima on June 11, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

I Liga: Casa Pia vs FC Porto

I Liga: Casa Pia vs FC Porto

Rio Maior, 04/21/2024 - Today the Casa Pia team hosted FC Porto in the 30th Matchday of the Portugal Betclic League at the Rio Maior Municipal Stadium. Soma (Mário Vasa / Global Imagens)

I Liga: Casa Pia vs FC Porto

I Liga: Casa Pia vs FC Porto

Rio Maior, 04/21/2024 - Today the Casa Pia team hosted FC Porto in the 30th Matchday of the Portugal Betclic League at the Rio Maior Municipal Stadium. Soma (Mário Vasa / Global Imagens)

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan reacts at the end of his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

(SP)INDONESIA-BANDUNG-FIFA-WORLD CUP-U17-ROUND OF 16-GER VS USA

(SP)INDONESIA-BANDUNG-FIFA-WORLD CUP-U17-ROUND OF 16-GER VS USA

(231121) -- BANDUNG, Nov. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Eric da Silva Moreira (2nd R) of Germany vies with Pedro Soma (1st R) of the United States during the round of 16 match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 between Germany and the United States at Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Nov. 21, 2023. (Photo by Septianjar Muharam/Xinhua)

I Liga: Casa Pia AC vs Vitória SC

I Liga: Casa Pia AC vs Vitória SC

Rio Maior, 09/23/2023 - The Casa Pia AC football team, today hosted the Vitória de Guimarães SC team, in the 6th Matchday of the Portugal BETCLIC League, at the Municipal Stadium in Rio Maior. Soma

I Liga: Casa Pia AC vs Vitória SC

I Liga: Casa Pia AC vs Vitória SC

Rio Maior, 09/23/2023 - The Casa Pia AC football team, today hosted the Vitória de Guimarães SC team, in the 6th Matchday of the Portugal BETCLIC League, at the Municipal Stadium in Rio Maior. Soma

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Zhang Yufei (C) of China, silver medalist Soma Ai (L) of Japan, bronze medalist Wang Yichun of China attend the awarding ceremony for the Women's 100m Butterfly Final of Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Zhang Yufei (C) of China, silver medalist Soma Ai (L) of Japan, bronze medalist Wang Yichun of China attend the awarding ceremony for the Women's 100m Butterfly Final of Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Du yu)

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Ai Soma of Japan swims in the final of the women's 100-meter butterfly event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Ai Soma of Japan poses with her silver medal after winning it in the women's 100-meter butterfly swimming event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Ai Soma of Japan swims in the final of the women's 100-meter butterfly event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Boats leave port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 1, 2023, as bottom trawling starts off the prefecture after a two-month closure and for the first time since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fish are unloaded at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 1, 2023, as bottom trawling starts off the prefecture after a two-month closure and for the first time since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Boats leave port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 1, 2023, as bottom trawling starts off the prefecture after a two-month closure and for the first time since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

A supermoon shines over a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

A supermoon shines over a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Week after start of Fukushima water release

Week after start of Fukushima water release

A fisherman maintains fishing gear at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023, a week after Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, located in the vicinity, into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (front, L) visits a fisheries cooperative association office in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets the press during a visit to the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel eats raw fish in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, to highlight the safety of locally caught fish following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel visits a seafood corner at a supermarket in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

Release of Fukushima water into sea

Release of Fukushima water into sea

A fisherman maintains fishing gear at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2023, as Japan begins releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, located in the vicinity, into the sea.

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2023, shows fishing vessels off Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the vicinity into the ocean later in the day amid lingering concerns among local fishermen and some neighboring countries about the environmental impact.

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2023, shows a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the vicinity into the ocean later in the day amid lingering concerns among local fishermen and some neighboring countries about the environmental impact.

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2023, shows a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the vicinity into the ocean later in the day amid lingering concerns among local fishermen and some neighboring countries about the environmental impact.