MOSCOW, October 6 (RIA Novosti), Ekaterina Blinova - An explosion at an illegal fireworks factory southwest China's Guizhou Province on Monday resulted in the deaths of five people and left one injured.
"The explosion was heard at about 7:40 a.m. in the Lanjiang Village of Meitan County, where people were believed to be making fireworks illegally," Xinhua reports.
The media source notes that four people died on the spot, while two injured individuals were sent to a hospital. Unfortunately, one of the two wounded persons died later.
The Associated Press points out, that China has closed thousands of workshops producing fireworks illegally. The government has tried to prevent tragic cases like these, but the industry has become "an economic lifeline" for the inhabitants of poor rural regions.
Fireworks are widely used in China to celebrate "auspicious occasions" including holidays, opening businesses and different rituals.
It's worth mentioning Monday's tragedy happened on the next-to-last day of the National Day in China – a public weeklong holiday. The holiday is celebrated throughout the country with vivid festivities including fascinating fireworks. Police are extremely busy, with all its resources directed at ensuring transportation safety and crowd control. The cause of the explosion at the illegal plant in Guizhou Province is being investigated by local authorities.
