China: Massive Fireworks Explosion Kills 8 and Injures Others
Eight people were killed and two others were injured in a massive explosion that occurred at a fireworks store in Jiangsu province, eastern China, on Sunday evening, according to local authorities.
The explosion took place around 14:30 local time (06:30 GMT), due to the improper use of fireworks by one or more individuals, resulting in a huge fire that firefighting teams managed to control after two hours, around 16:00 (08:00 GMT).
The police stated in an official announcement that investigations began immediately, and those responsible for the incident were detained.
Authorities pointed out that incidents related to fireworks and lax enforcement of industrial safety standards are not new in China.
In 2025, an explosion at a fireworks factory in Hunan province, southeast China, resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 26 others, while fireworks caused the deaths of three people in residential buildings in Tianjin, northeast China, in 2023.
Fireworks are part of popular celebrations in Chinese rural communities, especially during major occasions like the Lunar New Year, which falls on Tuesday this year, where firecrackers and rockets are widely used, increasing the risk of tragic accidents.
