An explosion at a fireworks store in eastern China killed eight people and injured two others on Sunday, local authorities said, reports AFP.
The blast occurred at about 2:30 p.m. in Donghai county, Jiangsu province, after the improper discharge of fireworks by one or more villagers triggered an explosion at a nearby shop, according to a statement issued on social media.
Emergency management, fire, public security and health officials rushed to the scene to conduct rescue and response operations. The fire sparked by the explosion was extinguished by around 4:00 p.m., authorities said. Eight people were confirmed dead, while two others sustained minor burns.
An investigation is underway, and those responsible have been taken into custody.
The incident comes as China enters the peak period for fireworks use ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. The Ministry of Emergency Management warned against unsafe practices such as test-firing fireworks or smoking outside retail outlets and ordered fireworks enterprises nationwide to carry out comprehensive inspections of safety risks.
Industrial accidents remain common in China, often attributed to lax safety standards. Earlier this month, an explosion at a biotech factory in Shanxi province killed eight people, while a late-January blast at a steel plant in neighboring Inner Mongolia left at least nine dead.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
