A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province killed 21 people and wounded 61 on Monday, state media reported. The explosion occurred at 16:40 local time at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a city known for its fireworks industry. President Xi Jinping immediately called for all-out rescue efforts to find those still missing and to provide prompt treatment for the injured, urging swift action according to reports from Chinese state media.
Following the blast, authorities swiftly evacuated all residents and workers within a 3-kilometer radius of the plant to ensure safety, state media reported. Nearly 500 emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, and medical teams, were deployed to the scene for search and rescue operations, state media reported. Advanced robots were also utilized to navigate the hazardous debris and locate individuals trapped inside the damaged factory building, state media said. Rescue efforts were further complicated by the presence of two gunpowder warehouses on the site, which posed a high risk of secondary explosions, state media reported. To mitigate this danger, rescue teams continuously sprayed water to humidify the area, a measure aimed at preventing any accidental ignition during the operation, according to state media.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the deadly blast, with police focusing on safety protocol violations and potential negligence, Chinese state media reported. Law enforcement officials have taken what they described as 'control measures' against the person in charge of Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., according to Chinese state media. In a statement carried by state media, President Xi Jinping instructed a thorough investigation to be conducted and stressed that those found responsible must be held accountable for the tragedy.
The blast caused significant structural damage beyond the factory, with windows shattered in a nearby residential building, as reported by a China Central Television (CCTV) journalist. As rescue operations continue, authorities have not yet released updated figures on casualties, leaving the total number of missing persons unclear. The condition of the 61 wounded individuals remains officially undisclosed, with families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, and it remains uncertain how long the investigation will take.