Eight people were killed and two others injured in an explosion at a fireworks shop in eastern China, authorities announced last night. Rural communities in China often use sparklers and rockets to celebrate holidays and important events, such as the Lunar New Year, which falls tomorrow on Tuesday. According to a statement from authorities, posted on social media, the explosion at a shop around 2:30 p.m. local time (6:30 GMT) was caused by the 'improper use' of fireworks by one or more individuals. The fire caused by the explosion was extinguished around 4:00 p.m. (8:00 GMT). A police statement said eight people died and two others suffered minor injuries. An investigation into the incident has been launched, and officials have been suspended. Industrial accidents are common in the country due to sometimes lax enforcement of safety standards. In 2025, an explosion at a fireworks factory in Hunan (southeast) killed nine people and injured 26 others. In 2023, fireworks killed three people in residential buildings in Tianjin (northeast).
