An explosion in Honolulu caused by illegal aerial fireworks shooting into a crate with more fireworks killed three and critically injured 20, police said.

Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement that the explosion was "caused by what appears to be illegal fireworks"

A fireworks-related incident in Hawaii has left two people dead and 22 injured, according to a local news report. The incident took place in Salt Lake-Aliamanu, a neighborhood near Honolulu, and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services have reached the scene, according to Hawaii News Now.

After explosions set off by fireworks in New Year's celebrations in Honolulu killed three women and injured more than 20 people, including children, authorities and residents now wonder whether the toll will dissuade people from putting on such shows in the future or whether it will prompt more effective efforts by police to crack down.

Tuesday night, a lit bundle of mortar-style aerials tipped over and shot into crates of unlit fireworks, causing a rapid-fire series of blasts that killed three women and injured more than 20 people

EMS paramedic supervisor Sunny Johnson said her teams pronounced two people dead at the scene of the massive explosion early Wednesday, and transported over 20 to hospitals with injuries. A third person died later.