A massive explosion at a fireworks factory in central China has killed at least 26 people and injured 61 others, prompting President Xi Jinping to order a full-scale investigation into the deadly incident.
The blast occurred on Monday at around 4:40pm local time (08:40 GMT) at the Huasheng fireworks plant in Liuyang, a city in Hunan province known as a major hub for China’s fireworks industry. Authorities say the explosion also caused extensive destruction in surrounding areas.
President Xi, reacting on Tuesday, called for those responsible to be held accountable and directed emergency teams to intensify search efforts for those still missing.
“Those responsible must be held accountable,” Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua, while urging “all-out efforts” to locate unaccounted persons.
According to state media, 482 emergency responders were deployed to the scene, while nearby areas were evacuated amid fears of secondary explosions from factory warehouses. Rescue operations were still ongoing into Tuesday, with the full extent of the damage yet to be determined.
A video shared on social media showed widespread devastation, with buildings reduced to rubble across several city blocks. The footage also suggested that authorities have taken action against the company’s management, with reports indicating the person in charge may have been detained.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has joined calls for a comprehensive review of industrial safety standards, as officials warned that lessons must be learned from the tragedy.
“Authorities across regions and departments must draw profound lessons from the accident and reinforce responsibility for workplace safety,” Xi said.
Liuyang, a key fireworks production centre, accounts for about 70% of China’s fireworks exports and 60% of its domestic market, according to China Daily.
The city has experienced similar tragedies in the past. In 2019, a factory explosion killed 13 people and injured 17, raising long-standing concerns about safety compliance in the industry.
Investigations into the latest disaster are ongoing, with officials yet to confirm the number of missing persons as rescue efforts continue
