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A massive explosion at a fireworks manufacturing facility in central China has left at least 21 people dead and 61 others injured, according to state media reports.
The blast occurred at around 4:43 pm on Monday at the Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, located in Liuyang city in Hunan province, a well-known hub for fireworks production. The information was confirmed by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed a series of powerful secondary explosions followed by a massive plume of smoke rising over the mountainous rural area. Drone footage released later showed extensive destruction, with buildings reduced to rubble and emergency teams combing through the debris. Some structures that remained standing were badly damaged, with roofs blown off and smoke still visible.
More than 480 emergency responders were deployed to the scene, while authorities established a 3-kilometre control zone and evacuated nearby residents as rescue operations continued.
The central government dispatched specialist teams to assist in coordinating search and rescue efforts. Officials also confirmed that police have taken members of the company’s management into custody as investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for full-scale rescue efforts, urging authorities to prioritise treatment of the injured, locate missing persons, and ensure accountability for those responsible, according to state news agency Xinhua News Agency.
Liuyang is one of China’s largest fireworks production centres, accounting for a significant share of both domestic output and exports. However, industrial accidents remain a recurring issue in the sector, often linked to safety concerns.
The latest tragedy adds to a series of similar incidents in recent years. In 2024, a fireworks factory explosion in Hunan killed nine people, while in 2023, blasts in Tianjin resulted in multiple casualties. Earlier this year, separate fireworks-related explosions in Hubei and Jiangsu provinces also claimed several lives.
Authorities are continuing investigations as rescue operations at the site move into the recovery phase.
