Xiangyang, China – Web Desk: Twelve people were killed on Wednesday when a firecracker store exploded and caught fire in Xiangyang, Hubei province, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The explosion engulfed approximately 50 square metres of the store.
Authorities confirmed the incident occurred at an unnamed retailer, and the cause of the blast remains under investigation. Pyrotechnic-related accidents are not uncommon in China, where firecrackers are widely used during celebratory events such as the Lunar New Year, which began on Tuesday.
In June 2025, a fireworks factory in neighbouring Hunan province exploded, killing nine people and injuring 26 others. While some Chinese cities have imposed bans on fireworks due to safety and air pollution concerns, the traditional use of firecrackers—believed to ward off evil spirits—remains central to Lunar New Year festivities.
