21 dead, 49 injured in S China firework blast
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One more person died of serious injuries Sunday, bringing the death toll of a firework explosion in Guangdong Province to 21, the local government said Sunday.
The new victim died at about 1 a.m. Sunday at a hospital in Puning City.
Rescuers found 13 bodies at the site of the accident in Shiqiaotou Village of Puning Friday evening when a family were setting off firecrackers.
It is believed that the flame ignited other fireworks on the ground and caused the huge explosion.
Eight people died in hospital after medical treatment failed to save their lives.
Doctors said among the 48 injured, seven were suffering serious wounds or life risks, according to Wang.
The municipal government has identified 10 of the dead, including seven men and three women aged between 7 and 81.
Police and work safety officials have started a safety overhaul on the sale, storage, transportation and the use of fireworks in Puning. Officials said they would close all unlicensed retailers.
Fireworks and firecrackers are a necessity for celebrating the Lunar New Year, the most important holiday in China. The festival ends Sunday.
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