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Saturday, Feb 2, 2013 12:00 PM UTC

Illegal fireworks blamed for deadly blast in China

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Topics: From the Wires,

Illegal fireworks blamed for deadly blast in China(130201) -- SANMENXIA, Feb. 1, 2013 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers work at the accident site where an 80-meter-long section of an expressway bridge collapsed due to a truck explosion in Mianchi County, Sanmenxia, central China's Henan Province, Feb.1, 2013. At least 8 people died and 13 others injured after the explosion, which occurred at around 8:52 a.m. (0052 GMT) on Friday and caused several vehicles to tumble from the 30-meter-high bridge, local authority said. The exploded truck was loaded with fireworks, according to an initial investigation. Search and rescue efforts are under way and traffic control was imposed on the expressway. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoli)(zc/ry)(Credit: Zhang Xiaoli)

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities say a truck that exploded and caused an elevated stretch of highway to collapse, killing 10 people, was loaded with holiday fireworks that were illegally produced and transported.

State media say local authorities have shut down the factory where the fireworks were produced and detained four company officials after Friday’s blast.

It is unclear what set off the fireworks on its shipping route through the central province of Henan.

The Ministry of Public Security said Saturday that Hongsheng Fireworks Manufacturing Co. Ltd., based in neighboring Shaanxi province, illegally produced the explosives, improperly packaged them and contracted with a trucking company unlicensed to handle hazardous commodities.

Fireworks are a major part of the festivities surrounding the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10 this year.

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