In China, eight people were killed and two others sustained minor burns following an explosion and fire at a fireworks shop, in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year. According to the statement, the blast, which occurred last afternoon in a village in Jiangsu province, was caused by a resident setting off fireworks improperly near the store. The statement did not provide further details. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, marks the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
