China Firework Factory Explosion Kills 21, Injures 61

China. At least 21 people have died and 61 have been injured in a massive explosion at a firecracker production factory in China's Hunan province. Rescue and investigation work is being intensified as the risk remains even after the incident that occurred on Monday afternoon.

According to China's state news agency Xinhua, the explosion occurred at a factory in an industrial area under Changsha city. According to China Daily, the industry was being operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, which falls under the major firework production center of Liuyang area.

Aerial footage released by state broadcaster China Central Television shows that many structures of the factory were destroyed after the explosion, and white smoke is still rising in some places, indicating that the scene is not yet completely safe.

About 500 rescue workers have been deployed at the scene. Due to two high-risk gunpowder storage facilities near the explosion site, there is a possibility of further accidents, so residents in the vicinity have been moved to a safe place.

So far, the exact cause of the explosion is not known. Concerned authorities have started investigations, and the police have stated that the responsible persons of the company have been taken into custody.

Following this incident, Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed all efforts to be made for the search of missing persons and the rescue of the injured. He also urged that the cause of the incident be ascertained quickly, strict action be taken against those responsible, and security arrangements in industrial areas be further tightened.

Measures such as spraying water and cooling the environment have been adopted to reduce further risks during rescue operations. Three automated machines have also been put into use to assist in search operations in difficult locations.

The Liuyang area is known as an old center for firework production. According to Guinness World Records, the first fireworks recorded systematically are associated with the monk Li Tian of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), who developed the method of creating explosions using gunpowder in bamboo.

Earlier, in February, reports of casualties in two separate explosions at firecracker shops in China during the Lunar New Year had also been made public. Recent incidents are raising serious questions about the safety arrangements in this industry.