A firecracker store explosion in central China killed twelve people, reigniting safety concerns around pyrotechnics during Lunar New Year celebrations.
XIANGYANG: Twelve people were killed when a store selling firecrackers exploded and caught fire in China’s Hubei province.
The blast in the central city of Xiangyang burned 50 square metres of the premises, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Pyrotechnics-related incidents are not uncommon in China, especially around celebratory periods.
The tragedy occurred as the country began celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday on Tuesday. Firecrackers are traditionally used during the festival to scare off evil spirits.
Some Chinese cities have banned fireworks over safety and air pollution concerns. These measures remain controversial due to the tradition’s cultural significance.
In June, an explosion at a fireworks factory in neighbouring Hunan province killed nine people and injured 26 others.