Chinese New Year accidents a reminder of the dangers of fireworks

Two tragic accidents over the recent Chinese New Year holiday are a reminder of the dangers fireworks can pose when they are in the hands of amateurs.

Yang Gaofei would have been 21 years old this May. But he was killed after a fire broke out in his hometown in Qiaojia County in China's southwestern Yunnan Province. According to media reports, two children playing with firecrackers in a field started a fire that quickly spread out of control.

Yang Gaofei. [File Photo: Wuhan Evening News]

Yang had returned home from college for the traditional Chinese New Year family reunion. He attempted to control the fire while firefighters rushed to the scene. But he was severely burned, and died despite the efforts of doctors at Kunming Medical University hospital.

The young man's death came the day after an explosion rocked Tonghai County, a six-hour drive south of where Yang Gaofei was killed. The explosion tore apart a stall selling fireworks on the eve of Chinese New Year. Four people were killed, and five others were wounded. According to a Xinhua report, the cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Fireworks have long been a traditional part of celebrations for Chinese New Year and Spring Festival. But accidents like these two in Yunnan are part of the reason why fireworks are now banned in 444 cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and other provincial capitals. Authorities hope that the ban will help reduce the tragic loss of life in accidents such as those in Qiaojia and Tonghai.