The purpose of the display, “October: The Sound of Blooming Flowers,” was to use drones and pyrotechnics to create a three-dimensional visual spectacular over land and sea.
A fireworks and drone performance in China went awry, sending flames pelting on onlookers, turning what was supposed to be a spectacular display of lights in the sky into a scene of mayhem. The event happened on October 2 at the Sky Theatre in Liuyang, a city in the province of Hunan, according to a report by The Sun.
The purpose of the display, “October: The Sound of Blooming Flowers,” was to use drones and pyrotechnics to create a three-dimensional visual spectacular over land and sea. But what started out as a creative performance swiftly turned into a panic attack.
Why the flaming malfunction?
To control the situation, authorities set up a one-mile evacuation zone, according to local media. Later, authorities verified that there were no reported injuries.
“Unusually dry weather conditions may have led to the malfunction,” Liuyang Bureau of Culture and Tourism officials stated, cautioning that the flames might have easily launched a bigger wildfire. In order to avoid further instances, more firefighting crews were sent in following the incident.
Social media users, meanwhile, were eager to comment on the event, with many referring to it as a “man-made tragedy.” “This was intended to be lovely, but it turned into something out of an apocalypse,” one person said.
“What idiocy,” another person commented. Fireworks like this above people’s heads are extremely dangerous. Should be done over water bodies so that fire is doused immediately.”
“Now, bulletproof umbrella will be in demand,” a third user added in jest.
The Sun claims that Liuyang often puts on enormous pyrotechnic displays that attract tens of thousands of tourists each year. More than 160,000 people traveled to the city to see its New Year’s festivities, according to a January China Daily story.