At least 12 people die in explosion at fireworks shop in central China

Beijing [China], February 19: At least 12 people have died in an explosion at a fireworks shop in central China, shortly after the Chinese New Year celebrations.Citing the local authorities, the state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday that the incident occurred in a small town south of the city of Xiangyang in Hubei province. The resulting fire then spread to an area of around 50 square metres. Xinhua reported that the cause of the accident is being investigated. It is the second fatal fireworks explosion within a few days.On Sunday, a fireworks shop in the east coast province of Jiangsu also blew up. According to official figures, eight people were killed in the incident in the village of Dong'an. Two other people were injured. That explosion was caused by a villager who improperly lit fireworks near the shop, Xinhua reported.Those responsible for the incident have been arrested, it added.Source: Qatar Tribune