BEIJING — The Ministry of Civil Affairs on March 21 called for efforts to ensure safety on Tomb Sweeping Day which falls on April 5 this year.

Agencies in charge of funeral services and graveyards are asked to conduct safety overhauls to check hidden risks and ensure safety measures are well implemented, according to a meeting on safety on Tomb Sweeping Day held by the ministry.

The meeting emphasized traffic congestion and fire prevention efforts, calling for well organized, green activities to avoid stampedes and fires.

On Tomb Sweeping Day, or the Qingming Festival, people visit their ancestors’ graves and tombs of their deceased loved ones, which often involves long road trips.

During the day, people pay respects to their ancestors and departed family members by setting symbolic objects alight. This can result in fires in drought-hit areas.

More than 9.7 million Chinese visited cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives during the three-day holiday for Tomb Sweeping Day in 2018.