18.02.2026 17:55
It has been reported that 12 people died in an explosion at a fireworks store in Hubei province in central China.
According to Xinhua's report, an explosion occurred at a fireworks store in the town of Cingci in Xiangyang province during the afternoon.
12 CASUALTIES IN THE EXPLOSION
While the explosion affected an area with a radius of 50 meters, 12 people lost their lives inside and around the store. This was the second similar incident during the Spring Festival holiday, when the Lunar New Year is celebrated in China.
NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT IN THE COUNTRY
On February 16, the first day of the holiday, an explosion at a fireworks store in a village in Jiangsu province in the east of the country resulted in the deaths of 8 people.
The Ministry of Emergency Management had instructed all regional units to increase inspections regarding the manufacturing, transportation, sale, and use of fireworks following the explosion.
In Chinese tradition, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with fireworks. In recent years, the use of fireworks has been banned in many cities due to concerns about air and noise pollution, as well as the risk of fire.