Fireworks Shop Explosion Kills 12 During Chinese New Year in Hubei Province

On February 19, China Daily and Straits Times reported on the explosion at a fireworks shop in Zhengji town, Hubei province, central China. The incident occurred on February 18 during the Chinese New Year holiday, with the death toll reaching at least 12 people. While many large cities like Beijing have banned fireworks in recent years due to pollution concerns, smaller towns and rural areas continue to use fireworks extensively during the festival. CCTV reported that the fire and explosion occurred around 2:00 PM, covering approximately 50 square meters. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. A previous similar incident in Jiangsu province on February 15 had resulted in 8 deaths and 2 injuries. Social media videos showed a four-story building engulfed in smoke, with officials believing the explosion originated on the ground floor and quickly spread.