A 17-year-old boy died on Tuesday in Metz, eastern France, while handling a firework mortar that exploded, the city's mayor, François Grosdidier, announced.

“Today, around noon, a 17-year-old young man was handling a fireworks mortar in the Sablon district. The device, for an undetermined cause, exploded and fatally injured the young user,” François Grosdidier said in a statement, expressing his condolences to the family.

An investigation into the causes of death was opened and entrusted to the Moselle departmental security.

The use of pyrotechnic articles had been prohibited from December 17 to January 2 by prefectural decree, in connection with the New Year festivities, except for articles of category C1, F1, C2, F2, presenting a reduced danger.

This decision had been taken in particular with regard to the "risk of serious accidents caused by the inconsiderate use of firecrackers and other fireworks on the public highway (...) on the occasion of the end of year celebrations. year".

On New Year's Eve 2021, a 25-year-old young man died following the manipulation of a firework mortar in Boofzheim (Bas-Rhin).

Highly developed in Germany, the traditional use of firecrackers and fireworks for New Year's festivities is also very common in certain departments in eastern France.

For several years, it has led prefects to take the decision to stop the purchase and transport of fireworks as December approaches.