AFP PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2016 This picture taken on November 12, 2016 shows people protecting themselves from fireworks, being carried by a hot air balloon, that ignited before the balloon was at a sufficient height during the Tazaungdaing Lighting Festival at Taunggyi in Myanmar's northeastern Shan State. The skies of central Myanmar were set ablaze this week with the beginning of the Taunggyi fire balloon festival, one of the most beautiful and dangerous celebrations in Asia. Brightly coloured balloons with hundreds of homemade fireworks woven into their frames are sent soaring into the night sky, showering down cascades of sparks onto adoring crowds. / AFP PHOTO / YE AUNG THU