LIUYANG, China (FN) , A massive explosion at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 26 people and injured 61, state media reported Tuesday, in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years. The blast ripped through the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, a city long known as the world’s largest producer of fireworks, forcing authorities to evacuate everyone within a three‑kilometer radius.
Rescue operations involved more than 1,500 emergency responders, aided by drones, robots, and search dogs. Seven people trapped under debris were pulled out alive, while police took “control measures” against staff responsible for the factory as investigations into the cause began. Officials said two nearby gunpowder warehouses posed serious risks during the rescue, prompting crews to humidify the area to prevent secondary explosions.
The force of the blast shattered windows and twisted metal doors in nearby homes, leaving residents shaken. “The glass windows in our homes were shattered, aluminum frames deformed, and even stainless‑steel doors were twisted out of shape,” one villager told Beijing News. Another resident said she fled the area out of fear, describing stones blasted onto roads that now force villagers to take detours.
President Xi Jinping called for all‑out efforts to save the injured and urged investigators to hold those responsible accountable. Local authorities said water and air quality in the vicinity were being monitored and remained within normal levels, though residents expressed lingering concerns about safety.
The ages of the injured ranged from their 20s to 60s, with many suffering bone fractures from flying debris, according to CCTV reports. Hospitals in Liuyang were overwhelmed with casualties, while families gathered outside emergency wards seeking updates on loved ones.
Public reaction has been intense. On Chinese social media, many users expressed anger over recurring factory accidents, demanding stricter enforcement of safety standards in industries notorious for hazardous conditions. Others mourned the victims, sharing prayers and tributes to those killed in the blast.
Liuyang’s fireworks industry has long been a source of pride and economic lifeline, but also a recurring site of tragedy. Analysts say the latest disaster underscores the tension between preserving a centuries‑old tradition and ensuring modern safety standards in a sector that supplies fireworks worldwide.
As rescue operations conclude and investigations begin, the explosion has reignited debate over industrial safety in China. For residents of Liuyang, the devastation is a painful reminder of the risks that come with living in the shadow of an industry that has brought both prosperity and peril.
