Summary
- 21 killed, 61 injured in explosion at fireworks factory in Liuyang
- Over 480 rescuers deployed as search and rescue continues
- Authorities detain company official as investigation begins
LIUYANG, China- At least 21 people have been killed and 61 others injured after a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, authorities in China have confirmed.
The blast occurred Monday afternoon at a plant operated by Huasheng Fireworks, triggering a large-scale emergency response.
How the deadly explosion unfolded in Liuyang
Officials said the explosion happened at around 4:43 p.m. local time at the factory located in Liuyang, under Changsha.
The site was considered highly dangerous due to its proximity to black powder warehouses.
Rescue teams quickly evacuated nearby residents and established a buffer zone to prevent a secondary explosion.
Massive rescue operation launched with robots deployed
More than 480 rescuers across five teams were mobilised to the scene.
Authorities also deployed three rescue robots to assist in the search operation.
By Tuesday morning, the first round of search efforts had confirmed the casualties, with injured victims rushed to hospital.
A second round of searching is ongoing as crews continue to comb through the debris.
Investigation begins as officials detain company head
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has sent experts to guide rescue operations and investigate the cause of the explosion.
Police have detained the person in charge of the factory as inquiries intensify.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about industrial safety standards in high-risk manufacturing sectors across China.