At least 21 people were killed and 61 others injured after an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing factory in Liuyang, in China’s Hunan province.
According to Chinese media, the blast took place in the evening at the factory located in Liuyang. Footage circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising from a rural, mountainous area, followed by a series of continuous explosions.
Drone images showed a vast pile of rubble at the site where the factory building once stood, with rescue workers seen clearing debris. The explosion was of such intensity that roofs of nearby buildings were blown away, while fire spread to adjoining structures before being brought under control.
Rescue operations remain under way, with more than 480 personnel engaged in the efforts and experts dispatched to accelerate the response. Authorities have set up a three-kilometre controlled zone around the affected area and evacuated residents from the vicinity.
Police have detained several company officials as investigations into the cause of the incident continue.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all possible efforts to locate the missing and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Liuyang is regarded as a major centre for fireworks production in China, accounting for around 60 per cent of domestic supply and up to 70 per cent of exports.
In previous incidents, nine people were killed in a fireworks factory blast in Hunan last year, while in 2023 an explosion in a residential building in Tianjin claimed three lives. In February, separate explosions at fireworks outlets in Jiangsu and Hubei left 12 and eight people dead respectively.
