Ahead of China’s biggest holiday, the Lunar New Year, fireworks accidents are occurring in various places, and authorities are taking steps to prevent safety accidents.
According to a video recently posted on Weibo, an accident occurred in a parking lot in Wanzhou, Chongqing, at around 3:40 pm on the 21st (local time) when a sewer covered with a manhole cover exploded. Images of children covered in blood due to the impact of the explosion are also spreading on social media.
It is said that three children were playing in the parking lot at the time when one child threw a firecracker into the manhole. Then, before the children had time to escape, a big explosion occurred. The flammable gas in the sewer pipe exploded when it met the spark of a firecracker.
The manhole cover rose high into the sky with flames, and the surrounding sidewalk blocks were scattered in all directions like fragments of a bomb. It is said that even the cover of another manhole connected to the sewer pipe was shaken violently.
One child suffered facial injuries in the explosion and was taken to a nearby hospital. It was reported that there was no danger to life. Additionally, the sidewalk around the manhole was severely damaged, and a German imported vehicle parked nearby caught fire and firefighting was dispatched.
It is reported that there have been a series of firecracker accidents in other regions, including Sichuan and Guangxi, this month. In Henan Province, three young men in their 20s who were shooting off fireworks in a square were seriously injured. Firecrackers that children were playing with fell through a gap in the warehouse door, leading to a large fire.
Fireworks accidents are expected to peak during the Lunar New Year holiday next month. During this time, Chinese people set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and wish for a good year. Firecracker accidents occur frequently during holidays every year, but fire authorities in each region are especially nervous this year when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
An official from Wanzhou District said, “We will strengthen awareness of safety accidents to prevent similar accidents from occurring.”
Park Tae-geun,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.