At around 9 am on 19 October, an explosion took place in a small firework factory located in Dapingling Village, Shigao Town, in Jiahe County, Hunan Province. The explosion caused the death of a 14-year-old child labourer and left 11 other workers severely injured. Its owner, Lei Cuiyun reportedly committed suicide the next morning.
On 19 October [Sunday], Li Shuang, 13 years old, and her elder sister were asked by Li Zhide and Lei Cuiyun, the owners of the factory to help in the factory in order to fulfill an urgent order. However, at around 9 am, shortly after starting work, an explosion broke out followed by the further explosions of other firecrackers in other areas. The tiny factory immediately caught fire. Li Shuang's arms were blasted away, her hair and scalp were burnt and another 11 workers shared the same fate. According to sources, nine of the 11 injured were students under 15 years old and they were there working temporarily in order for the factory to meet a deadline. The accident was reported to be caused by a workshop supervisor's error.
The injured workers were then sent to Chenzhou City People's Number One Hospital and Jiahe County Peoples Hospital. A 14-year-old boy, Li Ping was certificated dead shortly afterwards while Li Shuang and several workers are still in a critical condition. Lei Cuiyun, one of the owners, perhaps knowing she would be held responsible for the tragic accident and realizing it had uncovered extensive child labour at the factory, tried to kill herself by cutting her wrists but was stopped by onlookers. The next morning however, she was found dead after drinking pesticide. The Chenzhou police reportedly arrested Li Zhide, the other owner.
3 November 2003
Sources include Sanxiang City Daily, 22 October 2003
On 19 October [Sunday], Li Shuang, 13 years old, and her elder sister were asked by Li Zhide and Lei Cuiyun, the owners of the factory to help in the factory in order to fulfill an urgent order. However, at around 9 am, shortly after starting work, an explosion broke out followed by the further explosions of other firecrackers in other areas. The tiny factory immediately caught fire. Li Shuang's arms were blasted away, her hair and scalp were burnt and another 11 workers shared the same fate. According to sources, nine of the 11 injured were students under 15 years old and they were there working temporarily in order for the factory to meet a deadline. The accident was reported to be caused by a workshop supervisor's error.
The injured workers were then sent to Chenzhou City People's Number One Hospital and Jiahe County Peoples Hospital. A 14-year-old boy, Li Ping was certificated dead shortly afterwards while Li Shuang and several workers are still in a critical condition. Lei Cuiyun, one of the owners, perhaps knowing she would be held responsible for the tragic accident and realizing it had uncovered extensive child labour at the factory, tried to kill herself by cutting her wrists but was stopped by onlookers. The next morning however, she was found dead after drinking pesticide. The Chenzhou police reportedly arrested Li Zhide, the other owner.
3 November 2003
Sources include Sanxiang City Daily, 22 October 2003