Explosion at fireworks plant in China kills at least 21 people, state media says

BEIJING — An explosion at a fireworks plant in a central Chinese province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, state media reported Tuesday. China’s official news agency Xinhua said the blast occurred at a fireworks plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the plant was operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in the Changsha-administered, county-level city of Liuyang , a prominent fireworks powerhouse. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke still billowing in certain areas of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged. Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and people staying in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses at the site, the Xinhua report said. Authorities were investigating the cause of the blast but had taken “control measures” against those in charge of the company, it said, without specifying the measures. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” to search for people

Go to News Site