Explosion at China Fireworks Plant Kills 26

An explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan province, China has resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people and injuries to 61 others. The blast occurred on Monday afternoon at the Huasheng Fireworks plant, prompting an extensive rescue operation involving nearly 500 personnel.

The explosion happened around 16:40 local time (08:40 GMT), according to state media reports. Rescue teams were deployed to evacuate everyone within a 3km radius of the factory due to the high risk posed by two nearby black powder warehouses. Robots were used to assist in searching for survivors amidst the collapsed buildings and debris.

President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to search for those still unaccounted for and save the injured. He also called for a thorough investigation into the accident to hold those responsible accountable. The impact of the blast was so severe that windows of nearby residential buildings were shattered, and some residents reported significant damage to their homes.

Liuyang city is known for its fireworks manufacturing industry, often referred to as the world's largest producer of fireworks. Blasts at fireworks factories are not uncommon in China and have been deadly in the past. In February, 12 people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks store in Hubei province.

Social media footage showed massive plumes of smoke billowing up into clear blue skies against a backdrop of lush green mountains. Authorities had evacuated residents from danger zones and established a 1km rescue area and a 3km control zone. The person in charge of the company has been detained, and the cause of the accident was being investigated.

The blast occurred at a fireworks plant operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, according to China Daily. Changsha mayor Chen Bozhang said that verification of casualties and identification of victims were still underway. The local government expressed condolences for the victims and apologized to society, including families and injured people.

Ding Weiming, party secretary of the Changsha Emergency Management Bureau, stated that a large amount of products or semifinished products caught fire, causing continuous blasts. Large quantities of gunpowder stored in the warehouse area threatened rescue teams' safety. All fireworks manufacturers in Liuyang have been ordered to halt production.

Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed white smoke billowing and facilities collapsed or damaged at the site. Rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards during operations.