SHANGHAI (SCMP): A young boy in China and his parents are under investigation after the child threw firecrackers into a sewer, igniting methane and causing an explosion that damaged several luxury cars.
Eight vehicles, including a Porsche, a BMW and an Audi, were damaged in the explosion, with the total loss reaching 285,000 yuan (US$39,000), according to insurance companies.
The boy’s family will have to pay the bulk of this amount, according to Jiupai News.
The unidentified youngster tossed the lit firecrackers into a sewer on a lawn in Zizhong county in Sichuan, southwestern China, on Jan 30, then ran away.
The impact of the blast was such that some cars parked nearby were blown into the air, one was completely overturned.
The boy, who was uninjured, was caught by police an hour later, and taken to a police station with his parents for questioning. It was not revealed what punishment they will face.
The owners of three cars damaged in the explosion, a Lincoln, a Lexus and a BMW, have insurance policies with China Pacific Insurance Company and the insurer estimated they incurred losses of 100,000 yuan (US$8,000), 60,000 yuan and 6,000 yuan (US$800) respectively.
Ping An Insurance estimated the cost of the damage to Porsches affected was 40,000 yuan (US$5,500) while a Li Auto car’s damage was around 15,000 yuan.
Tan Mintao, a lawyer from Beijing Zhong Wen Law Firm, told the media that after insurance companies compensate the loss for the cars, the insurers can seek compensation from the boy’s guardians, since they are mainly responsible for the accident.
He said if the boy’s family can prove that the there was negligence by those who manage the sewer system involved, responsibility for the explosion could be shared.
The lawn, next to a restaurant, is not a licensed car park.
If car owners were directed by restaurant staff to park their car on the lawn, the restaurant could also share a part of the responsibility, said the lawyer.
“But of course, the bigger responsibility lies in the boy’s guardians,” Tan was quoted as saying.
The boy’s grandmother released a video online to apologise.
“I would like to say sorry sincerely. It was my fault. I did not do well,” she said in tears.
“I take care of my grandson. The accident happened because of my negligence. Please do not say bad words about us. I cannot stand it,” the grandmother added. - South China Monring Post
