An explosion at a fireworks factory in a central Chinese province killed at least 26 people and injured 61 others, according to state media.
The blast happened at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, a city administered by Changsha in Hunan Province, on Monday afternoon, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported.
One video taken near the scene showed a plume of smoke rising into the air following the explosion. Other footage showed multiple buildings reduced to rubble, with firefighters spraying hoses on the smoldering debris.
The plant was operated by Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, which is under the jurisdiction of Hunan’s capital, Changsha. Liuyang is home to a hub for fireworks manufacturing, state media China Daily reported.
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Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed white smoke still billowing on Tuesday in parts of the area, with facilities collapsed or damaged and debris scattered around.
Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers and medical personnel responded to the scene, according to the South China Morning Post. People in danger zones were evacuated because of what authorities described as high risks posed by two black powder warehouses at the site.
Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang said at a media briefing that a search and rescue operation at the scene largely has been completed, but verification of the casualties and identification of the victims was still underway.
Chen said that the local government expressed condolences for the victims.
“We feel extremely pained and deeply remorseful,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to save injured victims and to search for people who remain unaccounted for, Xinhua reported. He called on authorities to probe the cause and pursue serious accountability. Xi also ordered effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.
Xi often issues “important instructions” to local officials after deadly accidents and disasters, according to reports.
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Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the blast, and unspecified “control measures” were taken against those in charge of the company.
In an effort to avoid additional accidents during the search for survivors, rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards. Robots were also used to assist with the search and rescue operation.
Ding Weiming, the Changsha Emergency Management Bureau’s party secretary, said that the site had a large amount of products or semifinished products catching fire, causing continuous, sporadic blasts.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman-Diamond and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
