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.
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
