Blast at fireworks factory in China's Hunan kills 26
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a speedy and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the blast.
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BEIJING: A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed at least 26 people and injured dozens of others - prompting President Xi Jinping to call for a thorough investigation, Chinese state media reported on Tuesday (May 5).
The blast in Hunan’s capital city of Changsha, a hub for fireworks manufacturing, occurred on May 4 at around 4.40pm local time, according to reports by CCTV and Xinhua.
Social media footage posted on May 4 showed massive plumes of smoke billowing up into clear blue skies against a backdrop of lush, green mountains, with Reuters verifying the location shown as Changsha.
A Xinhua video showed thick clouds of smoke rising from a large site littered with collapsed buildings and debris.
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Five rescue teams of nearly 500 personnel, together with three rescue robots, were dispatched to the scene, adopting a “human-machine coordinated approach” to conduct grid-style searches, according to Xinhua.
According to a report by The Associated Press (AP), Changsha mayor Chen Bozhang said search and rescue efforts had largely been completed - and verification of casualties and identification of the victims was still underway.
Two black powder storage warehouses within the factory compound posed high-risk hazards, the report said, adding that the authorities had evacuated residents from danger zones.
They had also established a 1km rescue area and a 3km control zone.
The blast happened at Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, state media said.
The person in charge of the company has been detained and the cause of the accident was being investigated, state-run China Daily reported.
Xi called for a speedy investigation to determine the cause of the blast and for strict accountability, Xinhua reported.
In 2025, China exported US$1.14 billion worth of fireworks, more than two-thirds of global sales, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity.
Xi also ordered the authorities to strengthen risk screening and hazard control in key industries, enhance public safety, and ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
The Chinese leader often issues “important instructions” to local officials after major accidents and disasters with fatalities. Last week, he urged a nationwide upgrade in China’s disaster response capacity.
Xi had also issued instructions after a blaze in Hong Kong in November at the Wang Fuk Court complex that killed 168 people.
Fireworks are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and are central to many festivals and events. But accidents related to storage and manufacturing are relatively frequent.
In February, separate explosions at fireworks shops in Hubei and Jiangsu provinces caused multiple fatalities during the Lunar New Year period.
An explosion at another fireworks factory in Hunan province in June 2025 killed nine people.
A year-long nationwide campaign was launched on May 1 to crack down on fireworks and firecrackers - which will include stricter limits on safety, noise and distribution.
AFTERMATH
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that victims were taken to Liuyang People's Hospital for treatment, with the oldest at 68 years old.
A 28-year-old worker who had been in one of the factory buildings when the explosion occurred told CCTV that he suffered injuries on his left leg.
He has since received treatment, and his condition is stable.
Another worker suffered injuries to her legs, the pelvic area and her face, CCTV said.
Local residents in nearby villages described having to take detours after stones and other heavy debris were blasted onto the road.
"The windows at home were completely shattered," said an unnamed resident, speaking to Chinese media outlet Beijing News.
"The aluminum window frames were deformed, and even the stainless-steel doors were twisted out of shape."
Another villager said she had taken her grandchild and left the village in fear when the blast occurred.
The event is currently the top trending topic on Chinese social media site Weibo, garnering over 30 million views - with many users expressing shock and condolences for victims.
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