Hunan fireworks factory blast kills 21, injures 61; Xi orders swift probe
A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province killed 21 people and injured 61, prompting President Xi Jinping to demand a speedy and thorough investigation with strict accountability, state media reported on Tuesday, May 5. State broadcaster CCTV and the Xinhua news agency said the explosion occurred around 4:40 p.m.
on Monday in Changsha, the provincial capital and a hub for fireworks manufacturing. The incident took place at Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, according to media reports. Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed thick smoke rising over a large site with collapsed structures and debris scattered across the area; the footage could not be independently verified.
Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers and medical personnel were deployed, the South China Morning Post reported. CCTV said victims were taken to Liuyang People’s Hospital for treatment, with the oldest reported at 68 years old. Most of the injured suffered bone injuries.
A 28-year-old worker told the broadcaster he was inside one of the factory buildings when the blast hit and sustained injuries to his left leg; he has received treatment and was described as stable. Another worker cited by CCTV suffered injuries to her legs, pelvic area and face.
Residents in nearby villages reported shattered windows and roads littered with stones and debris. “The windows at home were completely shattered,” an unnamed villager told Beijing News, adding that aluminum window frames were deformed and stainless-steel doors twisted out of shape.
Another resident said she fled the area with her grandchild when the blast occurred. China exported US$1.14 billion worth of fireworks last year, accounting for more than two-thirds of global sales, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity.
A year-long nationwide campaign to tighten controls on fireworks and firecrackers — including stricter limits on safety, noise, and chemical and explosive content — was launched on May 1. Xinhua reported that Xi also ordered authorities to strengthen risk screening and hazard control in key industries, enhance public safety, and ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
He frequently issues “important instructions” after major fatal accidents; last week, he urged a nationwide upgrade in disaster response capacity. Xi also issued instructions after a blaze in Hong Kong in November at the Wang Fuk Court complex that killed 168 people.
Authorities have not determined the cause of the Hunan blast. The investigation ordered by Xi is expected to focus on identifying what triggered the explosion and to enforce accountability measures once findings are established.