China fireworks truck explosion destroys road bridge
01 February 2013
A truck carrying fireworks ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations exploded and destroyed part of an elevated road in central China on Friday, killing several people. The explosion sent vehicles plummeting 100 feet to the ground along an 80-yard stretch of the major east-west highway in Mianchi county in Henan Province.
At least six people were killed in the accident, according to Xinhua, and about 15 people were also injured.
News websites showed rescuers moving amongst the shattered remains of trucks that plunged to earth, with part of one truck hanging off the severed section of the bridge. Reports from the scene said that from 10 to 25 vehicles fell off the bridge, and rescuers were searching for survivors amid the jumble of wreckage.
Fireworks are a popular part of Chinese Lunar New Year festivities. To meet the demand, fireworks are made, shipped and stored in large quantities, sometimes in unsafe conditions.