Explosion at Fireworks Factory in China's Hunan Province Kills 26 and Injures 61

An explosion ripped through the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. plant in Liuyang, a county-level city administered by Changsha in China's Hunan province, killing at least 26 people and injuring 61. m.

According to state media reports from CCTV and Xinhua. Aerial footage from CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke billowing from areas of the site, as rescuers wrapped up operations at the facility. A large number of products caught fire, leading to continuous blasts, while large quantities of gunpowder stored in the warehouse area heightened risks during the response.

People were trapped under collapsed walls, columns and roofs in the factory area, and two gunpowder warehouses within the complex posed a high risk amid rescue efforts. More than 1,500 firefighters, rescuers, medical personnel and police were deployed, along with dogs, drones and three robots, to search for survivors and control on-site hazards.

Rescuers saved seven people who were trapped under debris, implementing measures like humidifying the area to prevent secondary accidents.

A search and rescue operation had largely been completed, with verification of casualties and identification of victims under way. Authorities evacuated everyone within a 3km radius of the plant and residents in danger zones, citing the risk from highly combustible black powder stored in two warehouses.

The impact of the blast shattered windows of a nearby residential building, with the ages of the injured ranging from their 20s to 60s.

Some injured suffered bone injuries after being hit by flying debris, according to a CCTV report. Local authorities monitored the vicinity's water and air qualities on Tuesday, finding relevant environmental indicators normal. Changsha's mayor, Chen Bozhang, stated that the local government expressed condolences for the victims and apologised to society, including the families and injured people.

'We feel extremely pained and deeply remorseful,' Chen said at a media briefing. Changsha emergency management bureau’s party secretary, Ding Weiming, said a large number of products caught fire, causing continuous blasts, and large quantities of gunpowder were stored in the warehouse area.

Police detained the person in charge of the company and took 'control measures' against the staff in charge of the fireworks company, according to Xinhua and Chinese state media.

All fireworks and firecracker manufacturers in Liuyang were ordered to halt production, local media reported. Liuyang is known for fireworks manufacturing and is touted as the world's largest producer of fireworks. China's President Xi Jinping urged 'all-out efforts' to search for people who were still unaccounted for and to save the injured.

He called on authorities to investigate the cause swiftly and pursue accountability, Xinhua reported. In February, around the lunar new year period, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops, including one in Hubei province that killed 12 people. A resident living about 1km away from the factory said villagers had to take detours after stones were blasted onto the road.

'The glass windows in our homes were shattered, aluminum window frames were deformed, and even the stainless-steel doors were twisted out of shape,' the resident said. Another resident left the village out of fear.