The number of casualties from the fireworks factory explosion in Liuyang, Hunan Province, China has risen sharply, with 21 dead and 61 injured so far. The person in charge of the company involved has been taken into custody.
According to reports from China Central Television (CCTV) and Xinhua News Agency, an explosion occurred in a workshop at Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., Ltd. in Liuyang, Changsha, Hunan, at around 4:43 pm on Monday (the 4th).
After the accident, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued instructions calling for urgent search and rescue of missing persons, full efforts to treat the injured, proper handling of aftermath, and a prompt investigation to determine the cause of the incident and to strictly hold those responsible to account.
Li Qiang, member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and Premier of the State Council of China, issued a directive emphasizing the need to promptly ascertain the number of people affected, spare no effort in treating the injured, organize rescue operations scientifically, strictly prevent secondary disasters, and properly handle the aftermath.
As of 8 am on Tuesday, after an initial round of checks, the accident had resulted in 21 deaths and 61 injuries. The injured were rushed to hospitals for treatment.
The on-site rescue command is currently organizing a second round of inspections. Public security authorities have taken control measures against the person in charge of the company involved. The investigation into the cause of the accident and follow-up handling are ongoing.
According to The Beijing News, some nearby villagers reported that the explosion shattered and deformed doors and windows in their homes, and several hundred catties of rocks were blasted to the roadside. Another villager said the explosion was so loud that she was frightened and had left the village.