BEIJING — An explosion at a fireworks plant in central China’s Hunan province killed at least 26 people and injured 61, state media reported Tuesday. The blast occurred Monday afternoon at a plant operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a county-level city administered by Changsha known for its fireworks industry.
Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang said search-and-rescue efforts have largely concluded but casualty verification and victim identification remain ongoing. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed white smoke still rising over parts of the site and several damaged or collapsed facilities.
Nearly 500 rescuers were sent to the scene, and authorities evacuated residents from danger zones because of risks posed by two black powder warehouses near the blast site. Rescuers used measures such as spraying and humidification to reduce hazards and deployed three robots to assist search and rescue.
Police have detained the person in charge of the company while investigators probe the cause of the explosion. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” to find any unaccounted-for people, treat the injured, swiftly investigate the cause and pursue serious accountability. He also ordered enhanced risk screening and hazard control in key industries and strengthened public safety management.
Liuyang has a long history of fireworks production; Guinness World Records credits Li Tian, a Tang-dynasty monk from the Liuyang area, with inventing the firecracker. Authorities noted that China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops in February during the Lunar New Year period.