Eight people have died and two others sustained minor burns after a fireworks store exploded in eastern China on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in a village in Jiangsu province, just days before the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Authorities in Donghai county said the blast was caused by a resident improperly setting off fireworks near the store. Further details have not yet been released.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls on Tuesday and marks the start of the Year of the Horse. While setting off firecrackers at midnight is a traditional part of the festivities, many regions have imposed bans due to air pollution concerns. Some governments eased these bans last year, potentially leading to a resurgence.
Following the explosion, China's Ministry of Emergency Management urged all regions to strengthen supervision of fireworks production, transport, sales, and use to prevent future accidents. A statement called for strict prohibition of testing fireworks near stores and urged local governments to eliminate safety blind spots to ensure a safe and happy Spring Festival.
