An explosion at a firecracker store in Xiangyang, China, has led to the death of 12 people. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

A devastating explosion at a firecracker store in Xiangyang city, Hubei province, China, killed 12 people on Wednesday, according to a CCTV report. The incident occurred at an unidentified retailer, and the cause of the explosion is currently under investigation. Video footage verified by Reuters shows a low-rise building with black smoke billowing from the front of the destroyed store. Explosions related to fireworks are common in China, where firecrackers are widely used, especially during celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, which began on Tuesday. In June, an explosion at a fireworks factory in the neighboring Hunan province resulted in the deaths of nine people and injured another 26. Although some cities in China have banned the use of firecrackers for safety and air pollution reasons, these measures are controversial, as firecrackers are traditionally used to ward off evil spirits and are essential for Lunar New Year celebrations.