A devastating explosion at a fireworks plant in central China's Hunan province has resulted in at least 26 fatalities and 61 injuries, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The blast occurred at a facility operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a county-level city under the administration of Changsha, renowned as a major fireworks production hub.
Details of the Incident
The explosion took place on Monday afternoon at the plant in Changsha, as reported by China's official Xinhua news agency. Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang stated during a media briefing that search and rescue operations at the scene were largely completed, but verification of casualties and victim identification were still ongoing. He expressed deep condolences and apologized to society, including the families and the injured. "We feel extremely pained and deeply remorseful," he said.
Rescue and Safety Measures
Ding Weiming, party secretary of the Changsha Emergency Management Bureau, noted that a large quantity of products and semi-finished materials caught fire, causing continuous sporadic blasts. The presence of large amounts of gunpowder in the warehouse threatened rescue teams, while collapsed walls, columns, and roofs created rubble, trapping people and blocking routes. All fireworks and firecracker manufacturers in Liuyang have been ordered to halt production, local media reported.
Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke billowing from parts of the site, with collapsed or damaged facilities. Hundreds of rescuers were deployed, and residents in danger zones were evacuated due to high risks from two black powder warehouses near the explosion site, according to Xinhua. Rescuers used spraying and humidification to eliminate hazards and deployed several robots to assist in the search and rescue operation.
Investigation and Government Response
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast, and police have detained the person in charge of the company, Xinhua reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "all-out efforts" to search for missing people and save the injured. He called for a swift investigation, serious accountability, effective risk screening, and hazard control in key industries, as well as strengthened public safety management.
Historical Context
Liuyang has a long history of fireworks production. According to Guinness World Records, the first accurately documented firework, the Chinese firecracker, was attributed to Li Tian, a monk who lived near Liuyang during China's Tang dynasty (around 618 to 907 C.E.). He discovered that putting gunpowder in enclosed hollow bamboo stems created loud explosions and bound crackers together to create traditional new year firecrackers to drive out evil spirits. In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.
