21 Dead, 61 Injured in Fireworks Factory Blast in Central China

At least 21 people were killed and 61 injured after an explosion tore through a workshop at a fireworks factory in Liuyang in central China's Hunan Province, authorities said today.

The blast occurred at 4:43pm on May 4 at a facility operated by Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing Co Ltd in Liuyang, a major hub for China’s fireworks industry.

Authorities have activated an emergency plan, deploying more than 480 rescuers from five teams. A joint command center was set up to coordinate search and rescue, while national-level experts dispatched by the Ministry of Emergency Management were sent to guide operations.

Two nearby black powder warehouses posed significant risks, prompting authorities to establish a 1-kilometer core rescue zone and a 3-kilometer control perimeter, with residents evacuated from affected areas. Firebreaks and isolation zones were set up, alongside measures such as water spraying and humidification to prevent secondary explosions.

Rescue crews established 20 operational points and deployed robots to assist in search efforts, working in coordination with personnel to conduct a comprehensive sweep of the site.

As of 8am on May 5, a first round of search operations had been completed. The injured were transported to hospitals for treatment, while a second round of inspections is underway.

Police have taken the person in charge of the company into custody, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.