…As 4 killed, 5 injured in China Lunar New Year fireworks blast***

Police say seven workers have died of suffocation while cleaning an underground drainage pit in a poultry farm in southern India.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chowdesari says the deaths occurred Friday in Morem village in Andhra Pradesh state.

After the first worker entered the drainage pit, he shouted for help because of difficulty breathing. Chowdesari, who uses one name, said the eight other workers entered the pit to help.

He said four died on the spot and three others succumbed later in a hospital.

A large number of villagers gathered outside the poultry farm and demanded the arrest of farm officials.

Police said they were investigating the deaths.

In the meantime, Chinese authorities say four people have been killed and five injured in an explosion at a stall selling fireworks on the eve of the Lunar New Year holiday.

The information office in Tonghai county in the southwestern province of Yunnan says the blast occurred at around 11 p.m. Thursday. It says the cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Friday marked the start of China’s most important traditional holiday, with tens of millions traveling across the vast nations for family reunions.

Fireworks have generally been a major part of the festivities, although authorities have cracked down on the practice for safety reasons and to cut down on air pollution.

Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai that used to shake from fireworks have been eerily quiet this year.

Fox