The man killed in an explosion involving fireworks in the Flevoland village of Swifterbant on Saturday has been identified as a 39-year-old father of two.

According to eye witnesses, the man died the large firework he was lighting exploded . Two children, said by some to be his own, were taken to hospital for checks for possible hearing damage after the blast.

The firework was set off on the street next to a playground. Locals said the explosive was an illegal firework but that has not been confirmed by police.

Every year hundreds of people are injured in the New Year fireworks frenzy and pressure is mounting on the government to ban the sale of fireworks to consumers.

Last year, a 54-year-old man from Meppel died after a firework he was lighting blew up unexpectedly.

Fireworks may only be legally set off between 6pm on December 31 and 2am on January 1.