China: 21 Killed, 61 Injured in Massive Explosion at Fireworks Factory in Liuyang

A devastating explosion at the Changsha Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, Hunan, caused multiple casualties and prompted a large-scale emergency response. Authorities are conducting investigations, with officials emphasising safety measures and accountability for those responsible, while rescuers continue operations in a cautious environment due to remaining hazards.

A powerful blast at the Changsha Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks plant in Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61, state media report. The explosion strikes Liuyang city, a major fireworks hub, on Monday afternoon local time.

The blast occurs at about 16:40 local time (08:40 GMT), according to reports. The force of the explosion prompts emergency teams to clear everyone within a 3km (1.9mi) radius around the fireworks factory, as smoke and debris spread.

Fireworks explosion in China: casualties and emergency response

Authorities deploy nearly 500 emergency workers to the site for search, rescue and medical support. Robots are also used inside damaged areas to look for people who might still be trapped and to reduce direct risk to rescuers.

Officials say two gunpowder warehouses inside the Huasheng Fireworks factory grounds pose serious danger during the operation. Because of this, rescuers humidify parts of the zone to "prevent secondary accidents during the rescue" while evacuation orders remain in place.

A table released with initial figures shows the human impact of the incident so far.

Fireworks explosion in China: residents describe the impact

A CCTV reporter at the scene says the shockwave shatters windows in a nearby residential block. Footage shows broken glass and twisted frames, underlining how far the force of the fireworks blast extends beyond the factory boundary.

Speaking to Beijing News, a resident who lives about 1km away from the factory said villagers now have to take detours after stones were blasted onto the road. "The glass windows in our homes were shattered, aluminum window frames were deformed, and even the stainless-steel doors were twisted out of shape," she said. Another resident told the news outlet that she has left the village out of fear.

Fireworks explosion in China: investigation and official response

Police open an investigation into what triggers the fireworks explosion and confirm action against company leadership. State media say officers have taken "control measures" against the person in charge of the fireworks company while inquiries continue at the Liuyang facility.

President Xi Jinping calls for intense search efforts to find anyone still missing and for full treatment of the injured. Reports say Xi also demands a detailed probe of the accident and wants those responsible to face accountability under Chinese law.

Xinhua reports that nearly 500 emergency workers remain on duty after the explosion, including medical teams and firefighters. Authorities say the risks from remaining gunpowder stores mean rescue work must stay cautious, even as pressure grows to locate any survivors quickly.

Liuyang city is known as a major base for fireworks manufacturing and is often described as the world's largest producer of fireworks. Deadly blasts at fireworks factories and shops are common in China; in February, 12 people die in an explosion at a fireworks store in Hubei province, adding to concern over safety enforcement.