Timeline: Recent tragedies

Sept 22: Seven people were killed in an explosion at Fenglin Fireworks Export in Pingxiang, Jiangxi province. The factory was operating illegally after safety authorities had ordered it to suspend production. An investigation is underway. June 24: Three people were killed and one injured in an explosion in Xiangle Fireworks in Fuping county, Shaanxi province. No cause has yet been ascertained and details of subsequent proceedings are not available. Feb 27: Four people were killed in an explosion in an illegal fireworks factory in Baitang, Yueyang city, Hunan province. Sept 8, 2016: Two people were killed and one was injured in an explosion at Caitian Fireworks, in Wanzai county, Jiangxi. The blast was caused by sparks falling on loose gunpowder on the factory floor. The company was fined 300,000 yuan ($45,000). Wan Bo, head of the company, and Zou Shihong, deputy head, were fined 30 percent of their (undisclosed) annual incomes. An investigation is ongoing. May 17, 2016: Five people were killed and one injured in an explosion at Hehua Firework Export in Liuyang, Hunan. Investigators discovered that firework samples had been set off in offices and living quarters, igniting 100 kilograms of illegally stored gunpowder. Liu Qiuhu, a company administrator, his two sons and a son-in-law were handed over to the judicial authorities on suspicion of hiding the bodies. Eight work safety officials were demoted or given official warnings.