Two peo0le have been reported killed by a at a high-intensity firework known as a ‘knockout’that unexpectedly exploded near the main stage at a Christmas carnival in Umuchu, Aguata LGA of Anambra State.
One of the victim killed in the exploded knockout is a teenage girl named Ugochi, who had returned home for the holidays. Several others sustained serious injuries, including burns and deep cuts, with children among the victims.
Eyewitnesses described the explosion as deafening, causing those near the stage to collapse and triggering widespread panic as people fled the venue. Videos circulating on social media captured the confusion, thick smoke, and injured people being rushed to hospitals. Despite the severity of the incident, neither community leaders nor state authorities had issued official statements as of the next day, raising concerns about possible downplaying of the tragedy.
The use of knockout fireworks and similar explosives had been banned by the Anambra State Police Command before the festive season, with Commissioner Ikioye Orutugu urging the public to follow safety advisories to prevent such accidents. However, the deadly explosion showed that the ban was not fully enforced, prompting fears that more lives could be at risk if stricter measures are not implemented.
