Millionaire in custody after illegal fireworks show kill 21

• Source: Globaltimes
• [02:23 March 01 2010]
• Comments

By Fu Wen

A millionaire who staged a lavish but illegal fireworks show in Puning, South China's Guangdong Province, was arrested after the fireworks accidentally killed 21 people, including three members of his own family, the China News Service reported Sunday.

An additional 48 people were injured.

Yang Junshu, 60, held the event Friday night just 30 meters away from his seven-story residence to celebrate the traditional Lantern Festival and the birth of a baby. Yang's mother, brother and daughter-in-law were killed.

During the show, a burning firework dropped on the stockpile of fireworks and it detonated a deadly blast. Yang's 1 million yuan ($146,481) home burned and 13 people died at the scene while eight others died at various hospitals.

One of the 48 injured victims left the hospital early Sunday and two of the seriously injured patients were transferred to Guangzhou for treatment. Reports said 41 other patients were in stable conditions late Sunday.

Yang's family spent 100,000 yuan ($14,648) to stage the fireworks show this year, Hubei-based Wuhan Evening News reported Sunday.

Yang Junshu and his nephew Yang Keqin, who operated the fireworks show, were arrested and their family members have handed over 8 million yuan ($1.1 million) in advance to cover hospital fees for the victims and compensation.

"The 8 million yuan are to pay the injured villagers who are getting treatment at the hospital but the compensation for the deceased are still under negotiation," said Zhang, a spokesman with the Puning government.

The fireworks show attracted many neighbors. Yang Chuangyi, 41, lost two sons in the explosion.

"We cannot afford such expensive fireworks so the kids were so happy when the wealthy family played huge fireworks and they ran to join the fun. I feel so sorry for my kids," said Yang.