Fatal firecracker explosion in central China sparks safety concerns

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An explosion at a fireworks store left at least six people dead in central China on Wednesday, putting the dangers of pyrotechnics back in the spotlight as the Spring Festival holiday approaches.

The incident took place in a four-story mixed-use building at 9:08 p.m. on Tuesday in Yueyang, Hunan Province. At least six people had died through suffocation as of Wednesday morning.

The fire was extinguished at around 11:20 p.m., with one survivor rescued and in stable condition after being sent to hospital, according to local authorities.

Preliminary investigations suggest the incident was caused by an impatient customer who set off a firework just ten meters away from the store.

Three local officials in charge of production safety have been dismissed from their posts, local media report. The legal representative and shareholders of the company – Jiusheng Firecrackers Company Limited – are under police investigation.

As a tradition, setting off firecrackers at momentous festive occasions dates back thousands of years in China. However, injuries and even deaths often accompany the joy, mainly due to unsafe firecracker production, transportation or negligence when lighting them.

A man carrying boxes of firecrackers to a temporary stand in Beijing on January, 23, 2017. /CFP Photo

In late December 2016, an explosion occurred at a private firecracker workshop, killing at least five in a village in Dezhou, east China’s Shandong Province. On January 1, 2017, a truck carrying firecrackers turned on its side and caused an explosion while driving on a road in Changde, Hunan Province. Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished and the driver was rescued.

A truck carrying firecrackers turned on its side and caused an explosion while driving on a road in Changde, Hunan Province on January 1, 2017. /CFP Photo

In recent years, due to environmental protection, safety concerns and changing ideas and habits, more and more people choose not to set off fireworks during the Spring Festival.

According to a survey by Beijing Statistical Information Net, among 1,000 permanent citizens in the city, over 80 percent said they won’t set off fireworks during this Spring Festival. For those who do plan to set them off, half said they would launch fewer than last year.

For those who have plans to set off fireworks during the coming Spring Festival holiday, please remember the following safety tips.

CGTN Photo