At least nine people have been killed in separate explosions in three illegal fireworks factories in north China's Hebei Province. The first blast occurred around noon on Thursday in Hengshui City, killing two people and leaving another seriously injured, the state media reported Saturday.
Another explosion that same afternoon in Xingtai City, killed the wife and son of an illegal firework producer Li Xinhua. Five others were killed in the third explosion in Dingzhou City Friday, said Xinhua.
The three deadly explosions have raised concerns over safety ahead of the Chinese lunar new year which will be celebrated February 9.
The Hebei Provincial Administration of Production Safety today asked local officials to step up efforts to ensure safety in local firework production and a smooth celebration of the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.
The Chinese burst a lot of firecrackers during Spring Festival, the most important holiday season for them.
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