An explosion at a fireworks factory in central China’s Hunan province on Monday afternoon has left at least 26 people dead and 61 injured, state media reported. The blast took place at a facility run by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha jurisdiction known for its long-standing fireworks industry.
Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang said search-and-rescue operations have largely wound down, though officials are still verifying casualties and identifying victims. State broadcaster CCTV released aerial footage showing pockets of white smoke over parts of the site and several buildings that were damaged or collapsed in the blast.
Authorities dispatched nearly 500 rescuers to the scene and evacuated nearby residents because two black powder warehouses close to the explosion posed an ongoing hazard. Emergency crews employed spraying and humidification to limit the risk of secondary fires or detonations, and three robots were used to assist in search-and-rescue work.
Police have detained the company’s person in charge as investigators work to determine the cause of the accident. President Xi Jinping urged an immediate and thorough response to account for any missing people, ensure prompt medical care for the injured, carry out a swift investigation into the cause, and hold those responsible to account. He also called for stepped-up risk screening and stronger safety management in high-risk industries.
Liuyang is historically associated with fireworks production; Guinness World Records credits a Tang-dynasty monk from the area, Li Tian, with inventing the firecracker. Officials noted that China experienced two fatal explosions at fireworks shops in February during Lunar New Year celebrations, underlining ongoing safety concerns in the sector.