Massive explosion at China fireworks factory kills 21 people

At least 61 people injured as rescue workers rush to the scene
At least 21 people have been killed and 61 injured by an explosion at a fireworks factory in central China .

More than 500 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene after the huge explosion, which occurred at a facility in the city of Changsha in Hunan province on Monday afternoon, according to the state-run newspaper China Daily.

The explosion occurred at 4.40pm on Monday, and the force of the blast shattered windows and damaged houses over a wide area near the factory.

Those living nearby were evacuated due to an ongoing risk of further explosions from two black powder warehouses at the site, a Xinhua report said.

Aerial footage broadcast on Tuesday by Chinese state TV showed white plumes of smoke still billowing from parts of the site, operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co.

The cause of the blast has not yet been confirmed, but officials have taken “control measures” against those in charge of the company, without specifying what that means.

Emergency crews were spraying water on the site to reduce the chance of further accidents and the risk of harm to rescuers, officials said.

The rescue teams have also deployed three robots to help with the search and rescue operation.

Chinese president Xi Jinping issued a statement directing “all-out efforts” to search for and rescue the missing and injured.

He also called on authorities to swiftly investigate the cause of the blast and pursue serious accountability measures.

The president also instructed ​authorities to bolster efforts for effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.

Changsha city is a hub for fireworks manufacturing.

Last year, China exported $1.14bn worth of fireworks, more than two-thirds of global sales, data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity shows.

But accidents related to the storage and manufacture of fireworks are relatively frequent.

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

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