26 killed in Hunan fireworks factory explosion

Twenty-six people have died after an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant in Liuyang, Hunan province, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday morning.

The blast occurred at around 4:43 pm on Monday at Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co, a fireworks plant located at Guandu township, Liuyang, a county-level city in Changsha. Emergency and fire rescue teams were deployed to the scene shortly after the explosion.

Authorities immediately activated an emergency response plan, establishing a joint on-site rescue headquarters with coordination across provincial, municipal, and county levels. Five rescue teams totaling 482 personnel were dispatched for emergency operations and search efforts. Professional medical resources from provincial and municipal levels were mobilized to treat the injured. Experts from the Ministry of Emergency Management were also sent to guide rescue operations.

As of 8 am on Tuesday, the first round of search operations confirmed 21 deaths and 61 injuries. All the injured have been transported to hospitals for treatment. The death toll has risen to 26 following a second round of searches.

Police have taken control of the company's responsible persons. Investigations into the cause of the accident and follow-up assistance efforts are proceeding in an orderly manner.