Illegal fireworks injure 260 in Beijing over Chinese new year
( 2002-02-25 15:05 ) (8 )

Illegal fireworks displays injured 260 people in Beijing during this month's lunar New Year holiday.

Beijing residents saw in the Year of the Horse with a barrage of fireworks, setting the sky alight on New Year's Eve Feb. 11. Beijing has banned firework displays in all but a few public places since 1993, but enforcement has grown increasingly lax.

Many of those injured were children, some as young as 4, who were burned on the face and hands. Fireworks were also blamed for a number of fires over the week-long holiday.

Chinese have for centuries set off fireworks to celebrate important occasions including traditional holidays, weddings and business openings.

The snaps and bangs are believed to scare off evil and attract good fortune. The Year of the Horse comes every 12 years.