Four men died during the Easter holiday celebrations in Greece and at least five more youths were injured in a series of accidents with fireworks that occurred across the country on Sunday.

The use of fireworks to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ is a centuries-old tradition in Greece, but every year the country reports casualties from fireworks accidents.

In a small village in Messinia prefecture in southern Greece, a 25-year-old man lost his life in an explosion while he was driving a car loaded with fireworks.

On the island of Santorini, a 21-year-old man was killed and his two friends seriously injured while making fireworks. Another young man was seriously injured in the right hand in a separate accident on the same island.

A 38-year-old man was killed in a similar incident in Heraklion on the Crete island, while a 43-year-old man was shot dead by his 45-year-old cousin by accident around the family celebratory lunch, while the latter was firing into the air with a hunting gun.

In Argos and Korinthos, two cities close to Athens, a 16-year- old teenager almost lost his hand during an accident with fireworks, and a 35-year-old man lost three fingers with fireworks exploding in his hand.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, who celebrated Easter on the small island of Hydra, released a message of hope and optimism on Sunday for the future of the national economy, which was severely hit by the economic crisis.

"In the current difficult moments, Resurrection gives us strength and joy. It is connected with the beginning of spring. Despite the difficulties, I know we will succeed. All together we can make a creative Greece," Papandreou said.