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Chinese authorities warn of fire and road safety risks over traditional Ching Ming holiday

The tomb-sweeping festival sees millions taking to the roads and burning offerings such as paper money to honour their ancestors

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Authorities have warned of the fire risk from burning paper money and other offerings. Photo: EPA-EFE
Phoebe Zhangin Shenzhen
The Chinese authorities have issued fire and road safety warnings as millions of people travel to pay their respects to their ancestors over the Ching Ming, or tomb-sweeping, Festival.

Around 760 million journeys are expected to be made over the three-day holiday, which began on Friday, the transport ministry said. These include 84 million rail journeys and heavy congestion is expected on major roads during peak travel times.

Earlier this week, the public safety ministry issued a separate warning reminding people to drive safely and be aware of the risks from bad weather.

Many people are also expected to travel to see the spring flowers in bloom in popular locations, including the peach blossoms in Nyingchi in Tibet and the cherry blossoms in Wuhan.

On Friday, social media platforms were flooded with photos showing crowds in other popular tourist spots. One picture showed people jammed on a path up the Wutong Mountain on the edge of the southern city of Shenzhen, unable to move.

Another photo showed cars lined up on an expressway out of Shanghai, with the user saying it had been gridlocked for three hours.

There is also a fire risk from the traditional custom of burning incense and paper money or lighting fireworks to pay respect to one’s ancestors.
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