An explosion occurred at a fireworks store in Hubei province, China, resulting in the tragic death of 12 individuals, as reported by state media amidst the Lunar New Year festivities. Emergency crews successfully extinguished the fire at the fireworks outlet in Xiangyang town on Wednesday afternoon, as confirmed by the official Xinhua News Agency. Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of the explosion, with no additional details provided in the report.
Fireworks play a significant role in the Lunar New Year celebrations in China; however, they have also been associated with various accidents. Just days before this incident, another mishap took place at a fireworks shop in Jiangsu province, claiming the lives of eight individuals and injuring two others. Initial reports suggested that a local resident had ignited fireworks near the establishment.
In response to these incidents, the central government issued a warning on Tuesday highlighting the hazards associated with fireworks during the Spring Festival period. The Ministry of Emergency Management emphasized that fireworks remain a significant safety concern during this festive season.
