From the Chinese press

Tradition versus safety hazard

Six bullet trains on the Guangdong-Hainan section had to be cancelled because quite a few number of sky lanterns released by villagers were caught in the high voltage train cables. The lanterns were later untangled from the cables and normal services restored. Traditional rituals such as the one to release sky lanterns on special occasions or festivals are part of our culture, but people doing so should exercise caution so that their actions do not lead to accidents, says an article on gmw.cn. Excerpts:

Sky lanterns are small hot air balloons made of paper. In Asia, as well as in some countries elsewhere, releasing sky lanterns is part of festivities. In China, during Lantern Festival at the end of Spring Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and Ghost Festival, people release sky lanterns because they believe doing so brings good luck.