A fireworks shop explosion in China kills 12 people in the second such blast in days

Twelve people, including five children, died Wednesday when a fireworks shop exploded in central China, marking the second fatal fireworks accident during the country’s Lunar New Year celebrations this week.

The blast occurred in the town of Xiangyang in Hubei province, according to state news agency Xinhua. Emergency teams managed to extinguish the resulting fire Wednesday afternoon, while investigators have begun examining what triggered the explosion.

Local officials revealed Thursday that the victims included the shop owner and eleven customers who had come to purchase fireworks for holiday festivities. Several victims were reportedly visiting family from out of town when the tragedy occurred.

The incident follows a similar explosion just days earlier when another fireworks shop in eastern China’s Jiangsu province exploded on Sunday, killing eight people and injuring two others. In that case, authorities indicated a resident had ignited fireworks in close proximity to the shop, triggering the deadly blast.

Fireworks play a central role in Lunar New Year traditions across China, where they are believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the coming year. The holiday, which began on February 10 this year, sees millions of families gather for reunions and celebrations that traditionally include elaborate fireworks displays.

The twin tragedies have underscored persistent safety concerns surrounding fireworks sales and usage during the holiday period. Just a day before the Hubei explosion, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management had issued a warning statement identifying fireworks as “still the biggest risks during the Spring Festival period.”

Despite increased regulation in recent years, particularly in major cities where fireworks have been restricted or banned due to pollution and safety concerns, many smaller towns and rural areas maintain more relaxed oversight of fireworks sales and usage.

Safety experts point out that accidents typically stem from improper storage, substandard products, or careless handling. Fireworks shops, which often operate from small storefronts in densely populated areas, can pose particular dangers when inventory is improperly stored or when ignition sources are present nearby.

The back-to-back tragedies have prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of existing safety regulations. Industry observers note that temporary vendors who set up specifically for the holiday season sometimes lack proper training in handling explosive materials or may cut corners on safety measures to maximize profits during the brief selling window.

Local emergency services across China typically operate at heightened alert during the Lunar New Year period, when accidents involving fireworks regularly occur despite public safety campaigns. Most incidents are minor, but these two deadly explosions highlight the potential for catastrophic outcomes.

Economic losses from the accidents extend beyond the human tragedy. The fireworks industry in China, estimated to be worth billions of yuan annually, provides livelihoods for tens of thousands of workers, particularly in manufacturing hubs like Liuyang in Hunan province and Dongxiang in Jiangxi province.

As investigations continue into both incidents, authorities will likely scrutinize whether the shops were operating with proper licenses and adhering to safety protocols for storing explosive materials. The outcomes could potentially influence regulations governing fireworks sales during future holiday seasons.

The Lunar New Year celebrations, also known as Spring Festival, continue through the Lantern Festival on February 24, meaning millions more fireworks are likely to be set off across the country in the coming days despite these tragic reminders of their dangers.