China fireworks kill 19 villagers

**Nineteen people have died in a blast caused by fireworks in China’s southern province of Guangdong, reports say.**Those killed were villagers gathered to celebrate the lunar new year, the China Daily newspaper reported.

Fireworks are a major part of the new year celebrations, which have lasted more than two weeks.

But they are also a major cause of deadly accidents in China, with hundreds killed each year despite official vows to lower fatalities.