China Fireworks Factory Blast Kills 26 in Hunan Province

Mintesinot Niggusie

A fireworks factory explosion in China’s Hunan province has killed 26 people and injured 61 others, according to state media, in a major industrial accident in one of the country’s key production hubs.

The blast hit the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang on Monday afternoon, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the evacuation of residents within a three-kilometre radius of the site. More than 1,500 emergency responders were deployed, with robotic units used to assist search efforts.

Police are investigating the cause and have taken “control measures” against personnel responsible for the company’s operations. Two gunpowder warehouses within the factory area were identified as posing additional risks during the response.

The force of the blast shattered windows in nearby residential buildings. The injured range from their 20s to their 60s, with several sustaining bone injuries caused by flying debris. Residents reported widespread damage to homes, including warped doors and scattered debris.

President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out effort to search for any missing persons, treat the injured and conduct a full investigation. Liuyang is known as one of the world’s largest fireworks centers but has seen repeated safety incidents recently.