Society
Fireworks explosion kills 21, injures 48
By Li Wenfang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-01 08:00
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GUANGZHOU: Twenty-one people, including five children, were killed and 48 were injured in an explosion triggered by a fireworks display in a village in Guangdong province.
The fireworks were set off by the family of former village chief Yang Junshu outside their home in Shiqiaotou village, Junbu, Puning, in eastern Guangdong at about 8 pm on Friday.
The explosion created a seven-meter wide, two-meter deep pit in front of Yang's home.
Thirteen people died at the scene and eight died at hospital. Among the injured, 47 were receiving treatment at hospital, including seven who were in critical conditions, according to provincial office. Eleven bodies have been identified, including five children.
Police have detained Yang Junshu and his nephew Yang Keqin, and their family has already paid 8 million yuan ($1.2 million) for medical expenses, rehabilitation and compensation for victims.
The explosion prompted the State Council to urge local authorities to strengthen safety measures for the Lantern Festival, which fell Sunday, and marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.
According to statistics from the public security ministry, fireworks led to the deaths of 11 people and injured 1,808 nationwide from Feb 13-19.
The statistics do not include the latest victims.
The ministry said 83 percent of incidents were linked to the inappropriate handling of fireworks.
In Guangdong province, the family of Yang Junshu, sacked as chief after a large fire in the village, was lighting fireworks about 30 meters away from their six-story home on Friday.
Among the victims are family friends that had traveled from Shenzhen and neighbors.
Puning authorities said 10 victims had been formally identified, including Yang Junshu's mother Chen Yaxia, younger brother Yang Junmao, and daughter-in-law Yang Beibei. Other victims included neighbor Yang Chuangyi's two sons, Yang Jinming and Yang Jinyong, daughter Yang Xiaoling, and villagers Hong Jincheng, Zhang Yingpeng, Yang Chuqing and Yang Jinmin.
"We don't have much money to buy fireworks for children. They were happy when the rich family was setting off fireworks and they ran there to enjoy the display," Yang Chuangyi said.
"I only want to cry. I am not thinking at all who should bear the responsibility."
The home of the Yang family and two adjacent buildings were damaged, with windows blown out and domestic appliances found more than 100 meters away. Eight luxury cars parked outside Yang's home were damaged and nearby electricity poles were uprooted.
China Central Television (CCTV) reported that some of the fireworks were highly dangerous and meant for use by professionals.
Lantern Festival celebrations in the village were canceled.
During last year's Lantern Festival, a fire caused by a fireworks display destroyed the new CCTV headquarters in Beijing, killing a firefighter.
In a notice issued yesterday, the Work Safety Committee of the State Council ordered local authorities to strengthen safety on fireworks displays, with increased checks on producers, wholesalers and retailers.
