BEIJING: An explosion at a fireworks shop in central China killed 12 people on Wednesday (Feb 18), the second day of the Lunar New Year holiday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Setting off fireworks and firecrackers is common during holiday celebrations in China, especially around Lunar New Year, which fell on Tuesday. On Sunday, an explosion at a fireworks shop in eastern China's Jiangsu province killed eight and injured two. An explosion at a biotech factory in northern China's Shanxi province killed eight people this month. And in late January, an explosion at a steel factory in the neighbouring province of Inner Mongolia left at least nine people dead.

Source: The Star February 18, 2026 16:44 UTC