BEIJING — An explosion at a fireworks plant in central China’s Hunan province killed at least 26 people and injured 61, authorities reported Tuesday. Xinhua said the blast occurred Monday afternoon at a plant in Changsha city operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., in Liuyang, a county-level city known for fireworks production.
Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang said search and rescue has largely been completed, though verification of casualties and identification of victims are still underway. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed white smoke still billowing in parts of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged.
Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed and residents in danger zones were evacuated because of high risks from two nearby black powder warehouses. Rescuers used spraying and humidification to reduce hazards and deployed three robots to assist the search. Authorities are investigating the cause, and police have detained the person in charge of the company.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” to find anyone unaccounted for and to save the injured, calling for a swift investigation and serious accountability. He also ordered effective risk screening, 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 monk from the Tang dynasty, with inventing the firecracker. In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.