Fireworks plant explosion in China kills at least 26, state media say

Beijing — An explosion at a fireworks plant in a province in central China killed at least 26 people and injured 61 others, authorities reported Tuesday. China's official news agency Xinhua said the blast occurred at a plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the plant was operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in the Changsha-administered, county-level city of Liuyang, a prominent fireworks powerhouse. Changsha mayor Chen Bozhang said search and rescue operations at the scene have largely been completed, but verification of the casualties and identification of the victims are still underway. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke still billowing in certain areas of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged. This photo released by Xinhua News Agency, taken by an aerial drone on May 5, 2026 shows the scene of an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang in central China's Hunan Province. Chen Sihan / Xinhua via AP Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and residents in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses near the explosion site, the Xinhua report said. Authorities were investigating the cause of the blast and police have detained the person in charge of the company, Xinhua said. …