Recently, in the city of Xuanwei, Qujing, Yunnan Province, a torch festival was held where an explosion occurred due to the accidental overturning of a plastic bucket containing flammable liquid, resulting in at least 16 people sustaining varying degrees of burns.
A viral video shows a large crowd at the event, suddenly a muffled explosion, followed by flames soaring up rapidly. People scattered in all directions, screaming, with many individuals rolling on the ground as their clothes caught fire. Surrounding bystanders rushed to help put out the flames, creating a scene of great horror.
According to eyewitnesses on the scene who spoke to the Xinjing News, inadequate safety measures were taken, and the oil drum was knocked over, spilling near the fire which then ignited, leading to the explosion.
Another participant at the event told the “New Yellow River” that many people were burned at the scene, including their own family members who are currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.
On August 8th, the municipal government of Xuanwei, Qujing, Yunnan Province reported that at around 8:30 p.m. on the 6th, a torch festival celebration by the masses of the Wusa Village Committee, Lefeng Township, Jianwen Village in Xuanwei, ignited a plastic bucket containing flammable liquid accidentally during the lighting of torches, resulting in 16 individuals at the scene suffering burns of varying degrees.
As the Chinese Communist authorities are known for concealing disaster information, the actual situation may be more severe than reported.
Public information indicates that the torch festival, also known as the Star Return Festival, is an important traditional holiday for ethnic minorities such as Yi, Bai, Naxi, Jinuo, and Lahu, usually held from the 24th to the 25th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar each year.
However, according to internet users, the festival, which used to be celebrated only by ethnic minorities, has now become commercialized in many places. “When I was young, the torch festival was just about carrying torches around the city or outskirts, or gathering around a bonfire to watch performances and sing songs. It’s nothing like the chaos and overcrowding you see nowadays. It’s frightening to witness.”