05 May,2026 08:58 AM IST | Changsha | mid-day online correspondent
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At least 21 people were killed and 61 others injured in China after a massive explosion ripped through a fireworks manufacturing facility in central Hunan Province, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The blast occurred at a plant operated by a local fireworks company in Liuyang, a region widely known as the global hub of fireworks production, reported IANS.
The incident took place around 4:43 pm on Monday at a facility in Liuyang, which falls under Changsha. The city is internationally recognised for its large-scale fireworks industry, supplying products across global markets. The explosion caused extensive destruction at the site and triggered panic among nearby residents, reported IANS.
Authorities launched a large-scale rescue operation, deploying more than 480 emergency personnel divided into five teams. Rescue robots were also sent into the debris to assist in search efforts, highlighting the severity and risk level at the site. Due to the presence of nearby black powder warehouses, officials evacuated residents within a 3-kilometre radius and established a safety buffer zone to prevent further explosions, reported IANS.
By Tuesday morning, officials confirmed 21 fatalities following the first round of search operations, while 61 injured individuals were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Emergency responders have since begun a second round of searches to locate any remaining missing persons. Medical teams are continuing to treat the injured, some of whom are reported to be in critical condition, reported IANS.
The Ministry of Emergency Management of China has dispatched expert teams to oversee rescue and investigation efforts. Police have detained the person in charge of the company as part of the ongoing probe into the cause of the explosion. Initial reports suggest that safety lapses or mishandling of explosive materials could be under scrutiny, reported IANS.
China President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out efforts" to rescue survivors and ensure the injured receive immediate medical care. He also directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable. Officials have been instructed to strengthen safety measures to prevent similar tragedies, reported IANS.
Liuyang's prominence as the world's largest fireworks producer has also brought repeated safety challenges. Industrial accidents involving fireworks factories are not uncommon in China, often resulting in significant casualties. Earlier this year, a similar explosion in Hubei Province claimed 12 lives, raising fresh concerns about safety standards in the sector.
The latest blast underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of industrial safety regulations as rescue efforts continue and investigators work to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
(With inputs from IANS)
