Hubei, Feb 19 (V7N) — At least 12 people were killed and several others injured in a powerful explosion at a fireworks shop in central China’s Hubei province, authorities said.

The blast occurred at around 2:30 pm local time on Wednesday at a market in Xiangyang city. The explosion triggered a fire that spread to nearby shops, causing extensive damage before firefighters brought the blaze under control within about an hour.

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

Emergency responders rushed to the scene and rescued several injured people suffering from burns. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while search and recovery operations were conducted in the affected area.

Investigation Underway

Officials said the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, and an investigation has been launched to identify the circumstances behind the incident.

The tragedy comes just a day after another fireworks-related fire in Jiangsu province that reportedly killed eight people, highlighting growing safety concerns.

Surge in Fireworks Activity

China is currently witnessing a surge in fireworks production and sales ahead of the Lunar New Year festivities, a period traditionally marked by large-scale use of fireworks across the country.

Authorities are expected to review safety measures at fireworks shops and storage facilities following the latest incidents.

END/SMA/AJ