Three firework explosions took place in north China's Hebei
Province on Thursday and Friday, killing nine people in total
and raising concerns over safety as the
Spring Festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year, draws
near.
All the three explosions were caused by illegal production of
fireworks.
One blast taking place at around 11:40 AM on Thursday in
Hengshui City killed two people and left another seriously
injured.
Another explosion happened at around 1:30 PM on Thursday in
Xingtai City, killing wife and son of the illegal firework producer
Li Xinhua.
Five others were killed in the third explosion in Dingzhou City
at around 8:10 AM on Friday.
Hebei Provincial Administration of Production Safety issued a
notice Saturday demanding stepped-up efforts to ensure safety in
local firework production and a smooth celebration of the upcoming
Spring Festival holiday.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2005)