A fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central Hunan province has left 26 people dead and 61 injured, authorities said on Tuesday.

President Xi Jinping earlier called for all-out efforts to find people still missing and save the injured.

The blast occurred at around 4.43pm on Monday at the plant of Huasheng fireworks manufacturing and display company in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha.

More than 480 rescuers in five teams have been mobilised for the rescue, with three rescue robots deployed.

As the explosion site is located near two black powder warehouses, the rescuers have evacuated nearby residents and set up a buffer zone to prevent a secondary accident.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched experts to the scene to guide the emergency rescue efforts.

The person in charge of the company has been detained by police and the cause of the accident is being investigated.

Xi has ordered authorities to launch a prompt investigation into the blast and handle the aftermath properly, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.

He said authorities across regions and departments must draw "profound lessons" from the accident and reinforce responsibility for workplace safety. The president ordered strengthened risk screening and hazard control in key sectors, enhanced public safety management, and efforts to safeguard people's lives and property.

Premier Li Qiang also called for efforts to strengthen workplace safety in key industries and sectors, and resolutely prevent the occurrence of major accidents.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Chen Bozhang, mayor of Changsha, expressed condolences to the victims, and apologised to their families, affected residents and society as a whole.

"We are deeply grieved and filled with remorse," he said. (Xinhua)
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Last updated: 2026-05-05 HKT 15:09



Edited by Cecil Wong