• Fireworks store explosion kils 12
• Second incident in days amid Lunar New Year celebrations

Twelve people were killed when a fireworks store exploded in Xiangyang, Hubei province, China, according to official media reports.

The incident marks the second such explosion in recent days as China celebrates the Lunar New Year.

Local reports stated that emergency teams managed to control the fire at the store on Wednesday afternoon, while investigators continue examining the cause of the blast without providing additional details.

Fireworks are a central part of Lunar New Year celebrations in China but are often linked to fatal accidents.

In a similar incident last Sunday in Jiangsu province, an explosion at a fireworks store killed eight people and injured two after a resident ignited fireworks nearby, according to local authorities.

The central government issued a warning on Tuesday about the risks associated with fireworks, stating that “fireworks remain the greatest hazard during the Spring Festival,” according to China’s Ministry of Emergency Management.