China Fireworks Explosion Kills 22; Leaves 10 Injured

Urumqi, China (AHN) - At least 22 people were killed, and 10 were injured by an explosion in the northwestern area of Xinjiang, China.

The blast occurred as officials were attempting to destroy firecrackers at a fireworks disposal site located in the desert of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, located in northwest China.

According to Xinhua, the explosion of the eight truckloads of firecrackers in the Gobi desert occurred at around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Most of the injured and killed were reportedly police officers. Among those killed were also a journalist, and a staff of a local radio station.

Officials said that despite the tragedy, the fire caused by the accident was quickly extinguished.

Authorities are still investigating the matter, and attempting to determine whether or not bystanders were killed.

Yearly deaths caused by firecrackers in China have led to the official announcement of the attempt to lower the death rates within the industry, according to the BBC.