BEIJING: At least twelve people have been killed and several others injured in a powerful explosion at a fireworks shop in China.
According to news agencies, the blast triggered a fire that engulfed a 50-square-meter area. Rescue teams arrived promptly at the scene and launched immediate operations, rushing the injured to nearby hospitals. Reports indicate that many of the injured are in critical condition.
Fireworks have been banned in major cities, including the Chinese capital Beijing, due to safety concerns. Authorities have launched a further investigation into the cause of the explosion.
This incident marks the second such tragedy in less than a week. On Monday, an explosion at a separate fireworks shop in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu killed eight people and left two others seriously injured. Local authorities in that case have since taken action and detained those found responsible
