Overview
- The blast and resulting fire struck a retail fireworks store in a village of Donghai County, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, on Sunday afternoon.
- Authorities confirmed eight fatalities and reported two people with minor burns receiving medical care.
- Local officials said suspected responsible individuals have been detained and that an investigation is ongoing.
- China’s Ministry of Emergency Management ordered stricter supervision of fireworks production, transport, sale and use, and banned testing near shops.
- The tragedy occurred just ahead of Lunar New Year, when fireworks use spikes, after some local curbs were eased last year and following other deadly pyrotechnics incidents in 2024 and 2025.