A powerful explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant in China’s Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61 others according to state media in one of the latest major industrial accidents to hit the region.
The blast occurred on Monday at around 4:40pm local time (0840 GMT) at a facility in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province and a key hub for fireworks production as reported by CCTV and Xinhua News Agency.
The sudden explosion sent thick smoke rising over the area while videos circulating on Chinese social media showed collapsed structures and widespread debris. The footage has not been independently verified by Reuters.
Emergency teams including nearly 500 firefighters, rescue workers and medical personnel, were deployed to the site as operations continued to search for survivors and contain the damage, according to the South China Morning Post.
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The incident reportedly took place at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, although official details about the cause remain unclear.
President Xi Jinping has ordered a full and urgent investigation, directing authorities to determine the cause of the explosion and ensure accountability where negligence is found. He also called for stronger safety supervision in high-risk industries.
China, the world’s largest exporter of fireworks, shipped goods worth $1.14 billion last year, accounting for more than two-thirds of global exports, according to international trade data.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as rescue efforts continue at the site.
