Lunar New Year event fatal for 18 in China

BEIJING – Authorities say 18 people died during the celebration of the Lunar New Year holiday.

An explosion at an illegal fireworks stand left five people dead in the southern region of Guangxi. Reports Sunday say the operator of the stand faces a charge of causing an accident through the use of dangerous articles. Those killed in Tuesday’s accident included three children and two adults.

Accidents on icy highways in central China left at least 13 dead as millions of families were heading home after their celebrations.