A 17-year-old boy died Tuesday in Metz, eastern France, after handling an exploding firecracker, the city’s mayor, François Grosdidier, said.
“Today, around noon, a 17-year-old young man was handling a firework mortar in Sablon district. The device exploded for unknown reasons, fatally injuring the young user,” François Grosdidier said in a statement, expressing his condolences to the family.
An investigation into the causes of death was initiated and transferred to the Mosel regulatory office.
The use of pyrotechnic articles was prohibited by prefectural decree in connection with the New Year celebrations from December 17 to January 2, with the exception of articles of categories C1, F1, C2, F2, which pose a reduced risk.
This decision was made in particular with regard to the “risk of serious accidents due to the reckless use of firecrackers and other fireworks on public roads (…) on the occasion of the end-of-year celebrations. Year”.
On New Year’s Eve 2021, a 25-year-old young man died after manipulating a firework in Boofzheim (Lower Rhine).
Highly developed in Germany, the traditional use of firecrackers and firecrackers to celebrate New Year’s Eve is also widespread in certain departments of eastern France.
For several years, this has prompted the prefects to stop buying and transporting fireworks as December approaches.