12 January,2009 09:29 AM IST | | AFP
At least five people were killed and nine others were injured today in an explosion at a fireworks factory in southern China's Guangdong province, state media reported.
The explosion occurred in the morning at a privately-run workshop in the city of Yingde, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing a municipal government spokesman.
Four people were killed instantly and one died in hospital, the report said.
The cause of the accident was being investigated, Xinhua reported.
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China's huge fireworks industry is notorious for its lax safety standards, especially among smaller producers.
At least 24 people have died in similar accidents since mid-November, according to State Council Work Safety Commission figures, Xinhua said.
The accident comes at a time when factories typically step up production to meet heavy demand for the Lunar New Year festival, China's biggest annual holiday.
Fireworks are a key part of celebrations for the holiday, which falls on January 26 this year
