What ought to be a week of celebrations for a colourful Lunar New Year has veered into a somber one in central China. Today, a devastating explosion at a fireworks retail shop in the city of Xiangyang, Hubei province, killed 12 people, representing one more incident of deadly pyrotechnics in four days.
The explosion was conducted at the height of the Spring Festival, which is when fireworks are often used to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the new year which on February 17 this year took place.
The Xiangyang Incident
The blast tore through a fireworks shop in Zhengji Town at about 2:00 PM local time, according to reports from state broadcaster CCTV and official Xinhua News Agency. The explosion put fuel on a raging blaze that grew to an area of approximately 50 square meters. Emergency services were quickly responding to the scene.
Though firefighters extinguished the open flames by 3:30 PM, the aftermath was no less grim. From the charred remains of the shop, 12 bodies were recovered by rescue workers. The area has been cordoned off by local authorities, and an extensive investigation is still in the works about the cause of the explosion.
A History of Holiday Accidents
This tragedy comes on the heels of another deadly accident. On Sunday, February 15, an explosion at a fireworks store in Donghai County, Jiangsu province, killed eight people and injured two others. Investigators in that case determined that the blast was caused by a resident "improperly discharging" fireworks in close proximity to the store.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Emergency Management had issued a nationwide warning, stating that "fireworks remain the biggest risk during the Spring Festival period." The ministry had called on local governments and enterprises to have strict safety inspections in place to cut short “blind spots” when it comes to the sale and storage of explosives.
The Cultural Tug-of-War
Use of fireworks remains a contentious issue in China. In China’s major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, there are strict limits on pyrotechnics used to combat air pollution and fire hazards, but some rural and semi-urban areas, such as Xiangyang, are still adhering to the practice. Most urban retail shops are located in residential or densely populated locations, making it far more likely that an accidental ignition will result in a mass death from smoke-polluted equipment and explosions.
Concerns for Safety and Accountability
In response to these two separate disasters, the central authorities are likely to tighten the restrictions on the manufacture and transportation of fireworks. Police arrested those responsible for the Jiangsu incident as the country continues its 15-day Lunar New Year celebrations, and Hubei is expected to face similar legal actions after the probe. For the families of Xiangyang’s 12 victims, a time of merriment has been given way to an era of deep grief.
