Explosion at Chinese fireworks factory kills 21, injures 61

An explosion at a fireworks factory in central China's Hunan province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, state media reported.

The blast occurred Monday afternoon at a plant operated by Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a city under the administration of Changsha, the provincial capital. Liuyang serves as a center for fireworks production.

Aerial video from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke rising from the site, with collapsed facilities, damaged structures and debris scattered across the area.

Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers and medical workers rushed to the scene, the South China Morning Post said. Authorities evacuated people from danger zones due to risks from two black powder warehouses.

President Xi Jinping directed all-out efforts to rescue the injured and search for missing people, Xinhua reported. He instructed officials to investigate the cause, hold those responsible accountable, improve risk screening in key industries and strengthen public safety measures.

Authorities have opened a probe into the explosion and imposed control measures on the company's managers.