LIUYANG, Hunan: At least 21 people were killed and 61 others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a fireworks factory in central China, state media reported on Monday.
The blast occurred at approximately 16:40 local time (08:40 GMT) at the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, a city widely known as the world’s largest producer of fireworks. The explosion triggered a massive emergency response, forcing authorities to evacuate residents within a 3-kilometre radius of the site.
Nearly 500 rescue personnel were deployed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations and provide medical assistance to the injured. Authorities also utilized robotic equipment to locate individuals trapped inside the damaged facility.
21 people were killed and 61 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks plant in central China. The explosion occurred at around 4:40 p.m. Monday at the plant in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha, capital city of Hunan Province. pic.twitter.com/jkzLnezSQ2
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 5, 2026
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion and have taken “control measures” against the individual in charge of the company, according to state media reports.
Officials warned that two gunpowder storage warehouses within the factory complex continued to pose a significant risk during ongoing rescue efforts. Emergency teams implemented precautionary measures, including humidifying the surrounding area, to prevent secondary explosions.
The force of the blast caused widespread damage, shattering windows and deforming metal structures in nearby residential buildings. Eyewitnesses described severe destruction, with debris scattered across roads and homes.
According to reports, the injured—ranging in age from their 20s to 60s—suffered various injuries, including fractures caused by flying debris.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to locate missing individuals and treat the injured. He also ordered a thorough investigation to ensure accountability for the incident.
Liuyang has long been a hub for fireworks manufacturing, but such facilities in China have frequently been the site of deadly explosions. Earlier this year, a similar blast in Hubei province claimed 12 lives.
