GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The local government in China's Guangdong Province said the death toll from a fireworks blast reached 21 Sunday with the death of a seriously wounded victim.
China's official state-run Xinhua news agency said the patient's death early Sunday morning marked the eighth person to die of injuries sustained in last Friday's explosion in Shiqiaotou Village.
In the wake of the large blast, rescuers located the bodies of 13 people killed in the explosion. A total of 48 people were injured, doctors said.
The deadly explosion occurred as a family was setting off fireworks in Shiqiaotou Village. Authorities suspect the blast occurred when a flame accidentally ignited other fireworks on the ground.
Xinhua said the fatal accident prompted police and work safety officials to implement safety precautions in Puning City for the use of fireworks, as well as the sale, storage and transportation of the explosive items.
