China: 21 People Killed in Fireworks Factory Explosion

SadaNews - Official media in China reported today, Tuesday, that an explosion occurred at a fireworks factory, resulting in the death of at least 21 people and injuring 61 others.

The official Xinhua News Agency stated that the explosion took place at a fireworks factory in Changsha, Hunan province, on Monday afternoon.

The official China Daily newspaper reported that the factory is operated by Huaxing Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang, which is administratively part of Changsha, and is a prominent center for fireworks production.

Aerial footage broadcast by the state television "CCTV" on Tuesday showed white smoke rising from some parts of the site, with several structures collapsed or damaged.

Approximately 500 rescue workers were deployed to the site of the incident, with evacuations carried out in at-risk areas, and authorities have begun investigations to determine the cause of the explosion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "every effort" to locate the missing and save the injured, urging authorities to expedite investigations into the causes of the incident and hold those responsible accountable firmly, according to the report. He also directed to intensify hazard inspections and control risk sources in vital sectors, and enhance public safety management.

To prevent further incidents during rescue operations, rescue teams adopted measures such as spraying and moistening to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, three robots were deployed to assist in search and rescue operations.