28 Feb 2010

Fireworks kill 19 villagers

6:37 am on 28 February 2010

Nineteen people have died in a blast caused by fireworks in the southern province of Guangdong, China.

The China Daily newspaper reports they were villagers gathered to celebrate the lunar new year.

Fireworks are a major part of the new year celebrations, which last more than two weeks.

However, the BBC reports hundreds of people are killed each year.