20 people died from fireworks explosions in China during the 4 days of Tet

A fireworks store in Trinh Tap town, Hubei province, exploded and caught fire at around 2:30 p.m. on February 18, the second day of the Lunar New Year. Local officials said the fire spread over an area of ​​about 50 square meters and was extinguished an hour later.

Photos of the scene show that the fireworks store on the first floor of the 4-story building was heavily damaged after the explosion. The investigation into the cause of the explosion that killed 12 people is ongoing.

Just four days earlier, a similar explosion occurred in Dong An village in Dong Hai district, Jiangsu province, eastern China, killing eight people. Local officials determined the cause was a resident who “improperly lit a firecracker” near a fireworks store. The investigation into the explosion is continuing and several people have been arrested.

Traditionally, fireworks and firecrackers are set off across China during the Lunar New Year. Fireworks are considered a way to welcome prosperity, good luck and ward off evil spirits.

However, in recent years, many provinces and cities have imposed restrictions, even a complete ban on fireworks due to concerns about air quality and safety. Some cities have recently lifted the ban in favor of controlled management.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management on February 16 called on local governments to learn from the explosion in Jiangsu and strengthen supervision of the fireworks industry. The ministry said officials must “resolutely prevent” similar incidents, and asked all localities to thoroughly assess safety risks related to fireworks.

They also warn people about unsafe practices such as trying to set off fireworks or smoking outside fireworks shops.