Beijing: An explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in eastern China have killed eight people and injured two others ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations, local authorities said.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in a village in Jiangsu province, where officials said the blast was triggered after a resident allegedly set off fireworks improperly near the store. The explosion led to a massive fire, resulting in multiple casualties.

Accident before Lunar New Year celebrations

The tragedy comes just days before the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, one of China’s biggest annual celebrations. Firecrackers and fireworks are traditionally used during the festival, especially at midnight to mark the start of the new year.

However, authorities in several regions have imposed restrictions on fireworks in recent years due to safety concerns and air pollution. Some local governments had recently eased those bans, allowing limited use again.

Government issues safety warning

Following the deadly explosion, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management called for stricter monitoring of fireworks production, transport, sales and usage to prevent similar incidents.

The ministry urged local authorities to enforce strict safety measures, including banning the testing or lighting of fireworks near storage or retail shops. Officials also called for thorough inspections to identify safety risks before the festival period.