An explosion tore through a fireworks factory in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, killing at least 26 people and injuring 61, state media reported Tuesday.
The blast occurred on Monday at about 4:40 p.m. local time (8:40 a.m. UTC). Changsha is a major centre for fireworks manufacturing. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.
Nearly 500 rescuers were dispatched to the site. Authorities evacuated residents from nearby danger zones because two on-site black powder depots posed ongoing risks. Rescue teams used spraying and humidification to reduce hazards and prevent further accidents, and deployed three robots to assist search-and-rescue operations.
President Xi Jinping has ordered a thorough investigation, according to state media. He instructed officials to strengthen risk screening and hazard control in key industries, improve public safety management, and protect people’s lives and property. Xinhua said authorities had taken “control measures” against those responsible for the fireworks company, without specifying those measures.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery