The Xinjiang 61st Regiment Farm fire started during Chinese New Year when a firecracker ignited memorial wreaths of the late Mao Zedong, killing 694 personnel. It remains the deadliest fireworks accident in the world.

Xinjiang 61st Regiment Farm fire

1977 fire in China

The Xinjiang 61st Regiment Farm fire broke out at Chinese New Year on February 18, 1977. When the farm hall was showing a North Korean war movie at new year, a 12-year-old audience member set off a ground spinning firecracker and ignited the mourning wreaths for Mao Zedong…

Death and state funeral of Mao Zedong

1976 event in Beijing, China

Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, died on 9 September 1976 at the age of 82, following a period of ill health. The government ordered a week of national mourning following his death.

February 18

Day of the year

February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 316 days remain until the end of the year.

List of fireworks accidents and incidents

This is a list of fireworks accidents and incidents, including pyrotechnics fire and explosion. The list is sortable by casualties and date.