21 Dead, 61 Injured In Fireworks Factory Explosion In China

A powerful explosion at a fireworks manufacturing facility in central China has claimed 21 lives and left 61 others injured, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at a plant operated by Huasheng Fireworks in Liuyang, which falls under the administration of Changsha. The city enjoys wide recognition as a major hub for global fireworks production.

Emergency services launched a large-scale response, deploying over 480 personnel across multiple teams, along with specialised rescue robots to assist in the operation.

Officials said the proximity of the blast site to black powder storage facilities raised the risk of further explosions, prompting evacuations and the creation of a safety perimeter.

Residents within a three-kilometre radius were moved out of the area, while crews implemented precautionary measures, including dampening the surroundings, to reduce the chance of secondary blasts.

By Tuesday morning, initial search efforts had confirmed the casualty figures, with the injured transported to hospitals for treatment.

A second round of search operations is ongoing to locate any remaining victims.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management (China) has sent specialists to oversee rescue and safety procedures. Police have detained the individual responsible for the factory as investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.

President Xi Jinping has, however, called for full-scale rescue efforts and a thorough inquiry to determine accountability.

Industrial accidents involving fireworks facilities are not uncommon in China, where such incidents have frequently resulted in significant casualties.

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