Fireworks blast kills 12 in Central China

BEIJING - At least 12 people have reportedly been killed in a fireworks blast in Central China’s Hunan province.

Earlier local authorities had announced that nine people were killed in the blast, but later the toll rose to 12, and three of the 12 victims were yet be identified till reports last came in.

Xinhua quoted police as saying that another two people went missing after the incident.

The blast, which also injured nine others, occurred in Ningxiang county of Changsha, the provincial capital, at about 9:30 pm on Friday when a truck loaded with fireworks fuses hit a power pole and sparks from fallen cables ignited the fuses.

According to a local government spokesman, the nine injured are being treated in hospital, and are in stable conditions. They also said that rescue operations and clean-up at the site ended on Sunday.

The blast has reportedly destroyed the truck and nearby houses, shattering windows and cracking walls hundreds of meters away. (ANI)