The Chinese government urged local work safety authorities
yesterday to intensify prevention of accidents caused by fireworks
after blasts killed 19 people in the run-up to the Spring Festival.
Nineteen people were killed in four fatal firework explosions in
Henan, Anhui and Hebei provinces and Chongqing Municipality between January 21 and
February 5, said a circular issued by the Work Safety Committee
under the State Council yesterday.
Firework sales have jumped in the country as many cities lifted
the ban on firecrackers in recent years and this has posed a
challenge to safety management of the product.
Local governments are required to have emergency response
schemes and be alert to possible accidents during the festival
season.
The circular also urges local authorities to stop illegal
production of substandard fireworks. This is a major cause of fatal
accidents.
It's an ancient tradition to observe the Spring Festival, or the
Chinese lunar New Year, with fireworks. Ancient Chinese believed
that setting off firecrackers on the eve of the festival could get
rid of misfortune and bring luck. This year's Spring Festival falls
on February 18.
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)