Beijing, Nov 2 (IANS) China’s Ministry of Public Security is launching a special drive to decrease fire risks, with a special focus on major holidays and festivals during the upcoming winter and spring.
Authorities will carry out special campaigns during major festivals to check transportation hubs, shopping malls and warehouses containing fireworks for fire risks, Xinhua reported.
The ministry in a statement Tuesday said, police and firefighters should remain alert during the National Firefighting Day Nov 11, New Year’s Day and the Lunar Spring Festival, with fire drills scheduled to be launched in various companies and organisations to keep civilians prepared for potential fires.
China witnessed a total of 8,469 fire-related accidents over the past month, down 17.5 percent year-on-year as a result of a nationwide campaign to eliminate fire risks, as per the statistics of the ministry.
The fires resulted in 13 deaths and left 26 people as injured, down by 80.3 percent and 40.9 percent, respectively, with direct economic losses of over 89 million yuan (around $14 million), according to the ministry.
