An explosion in a fireworks plant in central China resulted in the death of at least 26 individuals and left 61 others injured, as per reports from state media on Tuesday. The incident took place at a fireworks facility in Changsha city, located in Hunan province, on Monday afternoon, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua.
The plant, operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a renowned fireworks hub in China, was the site of the explosion. Changsha mayor Chen Bozhang mentioned in a media briefing that the search and rescue efforts at the scene have mostly concluded, but the process of confirming casualties and identifying the victims is still ongoing.
Chen expressed condolences on behalf of the local government to the victims, their families, and the injured individuals, offering apologies to society. Ding Weiming, the party secretary of the Changsha Emergency Management Bureau, described the situation at the site, highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams due to fires and structural damage.
Following the incident, all fireworks and firecracker manufacturers in Liuyang were instructed to cease production, as reported by local media. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV displayed damaged structures emitting white smoke, with rescuers working diligently at the scene and residents in risky areas being evacuated.
Authorities initiated an investigation into the explosion’s cause and detained the company’s responsible individual. President Xi Jinping called for exhaustive search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the importance of a swift investigation and holding those accountable. This tragic event follows similar explosions at fireworks shops in China during the Lunar New Year period, underscoring the risks associated with fireworks production and handling in the country, a major exporter of fireworks globally.