China.. A fireworks explosion kills 8 people

Eight people were killed and two others were injured as a result of an explosion that occurred in a fireworks store in eastern China, according to what the authorities announced yesterday evening.

Rural communities in China often use sparklers and rocket fireworks to celebrate holidays and important occasions such as the Lunar New Year, which falls on Tuesday.

The authorities explained in a statement published on social media that the “misuse” of fireworks by one or more people caused an explosion in a nearby store in Jiangsu Province at approximately 14:30 in the afternoon (06:30 GMT).

The fire resulting from the explosion was extinguished at approximately 16:00 (08:00 GMT), according to a police statement, which stated that eight people were killed and two others were slightly injured.
An investigation was opened into the incident and those responsible were arrested.

Industrial accidents are frequent in the country due to sometimes lax application 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).