Hunan fireworks blast kills 26 and injures 61, rescue efforts near completion

A fireworks factory explosion in Liuyang, Hunan Province, killed 26 people and injured 61 others, according to local authorities. The blast happened Monday afternoon at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company plant, a major fireworks facility in the region.

Officials said rescue operations are nearly complete, with emergency teams using drones, robots, and robotic dogs to search dangerous areas, suppress fires, and manage lingering hazards. More than 1,500 personnel from firefighting, police, medical, and emergency management departments were deployed to the scene.

Chen Bozhang, mayor of Changsha, publicly apologized and offered condolences to the victims’ families, affected residents, and the broader public. Authorities have detained the person in charge of the company while an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.

All 61 injured individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment. Officials said most suffered injuries such as fractures, abrasions, and soft tissue trauma. Several patients remain in intensive care, though authorities reported no immediate life-threatening cases after overnight surgeries and examinations.

Following the accident, all fireworks manufacturing companies in Liuyang have been ordered to suspend production and undergo safety inspections and rectification measures. Environmental monitoring conducted after the explosion has so far shown normal air and water quality levels.

Credit : CGTN