RIYADH: Sales of fireworks at public markets and main roads in Riyadh have increased during Ramadan, despite the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announcing a SR5,000 reward for anyone providing information about warehouses storing these dangerous incendiaries, a local publication reported recently.

Some illegal street vendors, particularly women, have been selling these fireworks to young children at some of the city’s popular malls and markets, the report said.

Turki Al-Taeemi, the ministry’s spokesman and general supervisor of documentation and communications, said inspectors are visiting various sites regularly to monitor these activities, and called on citizens and expatriates to report violations.

Meanwhile, the Riyadh police department has seized large quantities of fireworks, including the vehicles of people who have them in their possession, the report said.

Prices of fireworks have increased by up to 200 percent, and sell for between SR5 and SR2,000. The ministry has urged consumers to report complaints on the number 1900.