Beijing, May 5 (SANA) At least 21 people were killed and 61 others injured when an explosion struck a fireworks factory in Hunan Province, central China, on Monday, according to state media.
China’s Xinhua News Agency said the blast occurred at a facility operated by Huasheng Fireworks in Liuyang, a major center for the country’s fireworks industry.
Authorities deployed more than 480 rescue workers across five teams to carry out emergency operations, while three rescue robots were used to support efforts at the site.
Rescue teams evacuated nearby residents and established a safety perimeter due to the presence of black powder storage facilities close to the blast area.
The injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment, while an investigation was launched to determine the cause of the explosion.
The incident follows another deadly explosion earlier this year in Hubei Province, where 12 people were killed in a fireworks-related accident.
R.H/R.K
