Deadly Fireworks Factory Blast in China Leaves 21 Dead, Dozens Injured

A powerful explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant in central China has killed 21 people and injured 61 others, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The incident took place in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. The blast occurred around 4:43 p.m. on Monday at a facility operated by the Huasheng fireworks manufacturing and display company.

Emergency response teams moved swiftly, deploying more than 480 rescuers across five units, along with three rescue robots, to search for survivors and secure the site. Given the plant’s proximity to two black powder warehouses, authorities evacuated residents within a 3-kilometre radius and established a safety buffer zone to prevent further explosions.

By early Tuesday morning, officials confirmed the casualty figures after an initial round of search operations. The injured have been taken to hospitals for treatment, while a second round of rescue efforts is ongoing.

Experts from the Ministry of Emergency Management have been sent to oversee and guide rescue operations. Police have detained the person in charge of the company, and an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for full-scale rescue efforts to locate missing individuals and ensure proper treatment for the injured. He also directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable.

Liuyang is widely known as a major hub for fireworks production and is often described as the world’s largest manufacturing center for fireworks. However, such incidents are not uncommon in the region, with previous explosions in the industry also resulting in significant casualties.

The tragedy highlights ongoing safety concerns in China’s fireworks sector, where handling of explosive materials continues to pose serious risks.

With inputs from IANS