Overview
- The explosion at the Huasheng fireworks workshop in Liuyang, which struck Monday around 4:40 p.m. local time, left 21 dead and 61 injured.
- Rescuers set a 1-kilometre work zone and a 3-kilometre control area because two on-site gunpowder warehouses still pose a high risk, and authorities evacuated residents within the control zone.
- Nearly 500 firefighters, medics, and search teams are on scene, with three robots and water spraying used to reduce the chance of secondary blasts.
- Police have detained company leaders as the investigation begins, and officials have not determined the cause.
- Liuyang is a global fireworks hub and China exported about $1.14 billion of fireworks last year, so Xi Jinping’s order could trigger tougher checks and accountability across the sector.