Being that the Chinese are so disciplined and structured it is surprising that this many deaths and no doubt many more injuries occur during these celebrations. TGO
Refer to story below. Source: Associated Press
BEIJING (AFP) – China said Saturday 35 people were killed in fires during the week-long new year holiday as millions of people set off fireworks to usher in the Year of the Tiger.
Almost 7,500 fires were recorded during the Spring Festival, an important holiday marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year, causing 28.5 million yuan (4.2 million dollars) in “direct losses”, Xinhua news agency said.
The death toll was almost half that of last year, Xinhua reported, citing the public security ministry. It did not say how many people were injured.
While Xinhua did not specify how many deaths and fires were caused by fireworks, it said authorities increased patrols and security checks during the holiday — which ended Friday — when most residential blazes are caused by fireworks.
In one incident, an ancient wooden tower in northern Hebei province was destroyed Thursday after it was ignited by festive explosives, state media said.
Meanwhile, the number of people killed in road accidents fell 35.2 percent from last year and the number of traffic accidents dropped 25.2 percent, Xinhua said, without providing figures.
