Explosion, Fireworks Truck, China [PHOTOS]: At Least 9 Dead, 13 Injured after Lunar New Year Fireworks Truck Explosion in Central China

A truck transporting fireworks intended for the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in China exploded this morning, destroying a portion of an elevated highway and dropping vehicles nearly 100 feet to the ground. Earlier reports suggested that the explosion resulted in 26 deaths but have since been retracted. As of now, at least 13 people have been injured and around 9 people have died as a result of the fireworks disaster. These confirmed reports come from the Xinhua News Agency, which also states that 4 of the injured victims are in critical condition. This explosion buried at least 25 vehicles under the collapsed Yichang Bridge. 

China is known for its famous Lunar New Year fireworks displays. In fact, fireworks in general are a huge part of the Chinese culture and history. In order to produce an impressive display each year for the Chinese Lunar New Year, large quantities of fireworks are shipped and stored in otherwise unsafe conditions leading up to the event. In 2000, a similar explosion ended up killing 33 people in an unlicensed fireworks factory in Southern China. 13 of those victims were primary and secondary school students. In another case related to the 2006 Chinese Lunar New Year, 36 people were killed and dozens injured when a storeroom of fireworks exploded in Henan. Another fireworks explosion took place in 2009 at the newly constructed China Central Television building in Beijing. Two weeks ago on January 18, 3 people were killed and 11 injured as a result of yet another fireworks explosion in the Hebei Province. There seems to be a pattern here. Authorities have tried to improve controls on transportation, storing and manufacturing of fireworks in China over the last few years due to the aforementioned disasters. There was even a ban on the use and transportation of fireworks in Beijing, but thanks to numerous appeals from the public this did not last long. 

Another issue of concern is the infamous Chinese highway structures. Apparently bridges all over China are poorly constructed and have shown evidence of being unsafe for lesser reasons than explosions. Quick contruction and a lack of attention to detail is the main cause of bad bridges in China. With its clear history with fireworks related disasters, you would think China would focus on making important highway structures more efficient and safe. Fireworks will always be a constant in China's culture so there should definitely be more regulations involved when it comes to the deadly form of celebration.