Explosion at Fireworks Plant Kills At Least 21 People

China’s official news agency, Xinhua, said the explosion occurred at a fireworks factory in Changsha, Hunan province, on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the facility was operated by Huasheng Fireworks Production and Display Company, based in the county-level city of Liuyang under Changsha, a major fireworks powerhouse.

Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed facilities collapsed or damaged, with white smoke still billowing in some parts of the facility.

According to the Xinhua report, nearly 500 rescue workers were deployed to the scene, and residents of dangerous areas were evacuated by authorities due to the high risk at two black powder depots near the explosion site.

Xinhua said authorities were investigating the cause of the explosion and police detained the person responsible for the company.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to search for people who are still missing and to rescue the injured. The report stated that it called on the authorities to quickly investigate the cause of the incident and take serious responsibility. Xi also instructed to strengthen effective risk screening and hazard control and public safety management in key industries.

Rescue teams took measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate possible dangers in order to prevent further accidents during the operation.

They also deployed three robots to assist in the search and rescue operation.

Liuyang has a long history of producing fireworks. The Guinness World Records organization said the Chinese firework, the first accurately documented firework, was attributed to Li Tian, ​​a monk who lived near Liuyang during China’s Tang dynasty, between 618 and 907 AD. Guinness said Li discovered that putting gunpowder into closed hollow bamboo stalks created loud explosions, and combining crackers together created traditional New Year’s fireworks to ward off evil spirits.

In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops during the Lunar New Year period.