Society

Fires claim fewer lives during Lantern Festival

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-01 17:00

BEIJING: China saw 676 fires across the country during the Lantern Festival on Sunday, which killed two people and led to direct losses worth 2 million yuan ($293,000), the Ministry of Public Security said on Monday.

The death toll caused by Sunday's fires was down by 66.7 percent from the year before, the ministry said.

Lantern Festival, which fell February 28 this year, traditionally brings an end to the Chinese Spring Festival season.

It is highly prone to accidents as celebrations on this day include fireworks and lantern displays.

The country's fire police dispatched more than 19,778 fire fighters and 3,181 fire engines, saving properties worth 20.46 million yuan during the holiday.

The ministry on Saturday ordered the country to improve fireworks safety ahead of the Lantern Festival following a deadly explosion triggered by fireworks in south China's Guangdong province that has killed at least 21 people so far.

Police across the country beefed up security checks on fireworks stalls, factories and densely-populated areas during the weekend to prevent firework accidents.

Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar.