An explosion at a fireworks store in Hubei province, China, resulted in the tragic deaths of 12 individuals, according to state media reports. This incident marks the second explosion during the Lunar New Year festivities in the country. The blaze at the fireworks shop in Xiangyang was extinguished by emergency responders on Wednesday afternoon, as detailed by the official Xinhua News Agency. Investigators are currently probing the cause of the explosion, although specific details have not been disclosed.
Fireworks play a significant role in the Lunar New Year celebrations in China; however, they have also been linked to various accidents. In a separate incident on Sunday, eight individuals lost their lives and two were injured in an accident at a fireworks store in Jiangsu province. Authorities indicated that a local resident had ignited fireworks near the establishment.
The central government issued a warning about the hazards associated with fireworks during the Spring Festival period in a statement released on Tuesday. The Ministry of Emergency Management emphasized that “fireworks remain the primary safety concern during the festive season.”