BEIJING, Feb 16, 2026 (V7N) - An explosion at a fireworks store in Jiangsu province’s Donghai county killed eight people and injured two on Sunday, local authorities confirmed.

The blast occurred around 2:30 p.m. after villagers improperly discharged fireworks near the shop, triggering a fire that was extinguished by 4:00 p.m. Emergency services, including fire, police, and health officials, rushed to the scene.

Authorities said investigations are underway and those responsible have been taken into custody. The Ministry of Emergency Management warned citizens against unsafe practices during the Lunar New Year holiday, which begins Tuesday, and ordered nationwide inspections of fireworks enterprises.

Industrial accidents remain common in China due to lax safety standards. Earlier this month, eight people were killed in a biotech factory explosion in Shanxi province, while a steel plant blast in Inner Mongolia in late January left at least nine dead.

END/WD/RH