TEHRAN, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Two policemen were killed and another injured on Sunday in a fireworks explosion in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The victims sustained severe injuries when a batch of illegal fireworks, seized during the traditional Fire Festival, exploded at a police station in Mashhad, the report said.

The two later succumbed to their wounds at the hospital, according to the report. The blast also severely wounded another policeman and a client, who were both transferred to the hospital, it added.

The traditional Fire Festival, also known as Chaharshanbe Suri, is celebrated by Iranians on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, which fell on March 21 this year.

The festival is celebrated with bonfires and firecrackers in public places as part of the rituals to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. Enditem

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