China: Explosion at fireworks factory kills at least 26
An explosion at a fireworks plant in Hunan province has left at least 26 people dead and prompted a suspension of local manufacturing
At least 26 people were killed and 61 others sustained injuries following a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in central China. The blast took place on Monday afternoon in the city of Changsha, located within Hunan province. State media outlets, including the official news agency Xinhua, confirmed the casualty figures and the location of the disaster.[1][2][3]
The explosion occurred at a facility operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. The plant is situated in Liuyang, a county-level city under the administration of Changsha. Liuyang is a major hub for the fireworks industry, and the scale of the incident has drawn significant attention to safety standards within the sector.[2]
In the wake of the tragedy, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a call for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the blast. Local authorities have also taken immediate action by ordering all other fireworks manufacturers in the Liuyang area to suspend their production activities. This halt in operations is intended to allow for safety reviews following the deadly event at the Huasheng plant.[2][3]
