Explosion at fireworks plant in Hunan kills at least 21, injures 61

An explosion Monday at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan province, killed at least 21 people and injured 61, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The blast struck a plant operated by Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., Xinhua said. Liuyang, administered by Changsha, is a hub for fireworks manufacturing, China Daily reported. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed smoke, collapsed facilities and debris at the site, CCTV said.

Authorities evacuated people from danger zones because of what they described as high risks posed by two black powder warehouses at the site, Xinhua reported. Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers and medical personnel responded to the scene, the South China Morning Post reported.

Rescuers used spraying and humidification to reduce the risk of further blasts and deployed robots to assist search efforts, Xinhua said. Authorities have launched an investigation and said unspecified control measures were taken against those in charge of the company, Xinhua reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to save injured victims and to search for those unaccounted for, and urged a probe into the cause and pursuit of “serious accountability,” Xinhua said. He also ordered strengthened risk screening and hazard control in key industries and improved public safety management, the report said.

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