Two die in Italian fireworks accidents

ROME, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Two men have been killed in fireworks-related incidents during New Year's celebrations in Italy, officials said.

Both deaths occurred in the Campania region around Naples, the ANSA news agency reported Wednesday.

A 51-year-old restaurateur died while testing fireworks for customers and a 49-year-old construction contractor was killed when a firework went off prematurely and hit him in the face.

Injuries from celebratory explosives were down across Italy, falling from 561 in 2011 to 361 in 2012. Some 53 children also were injured, a decline from 76 the previous year.