An explosion at a fireworks company in Liuyang, Hunan caused 21 deaths and 61 injuries

An explosion occurred in a workshop of a fireworks manufacturing enterprise in Liuyang, Hunan on the afternoon of May 4. According to a local official bulletin, as of 8:00 a.m. on May 5, the accident had caused 21 deaths and 61 injuries, and the injured have been sent to hospitals for treatment. After the accident, the provincial, city, and county levels in Hunan quickly activated an emergency response, established an onsite rescue command center, and dispatched multiple rescue teams to the scene to carry out search and rescue and emergency handling. Experts from the emergency management department have also arrived on site to guide the rescue efforts. Due to the high risk posed by two black powder warehouses within the factory area, a core rescue zone and a control zone were designated at the scene, and nearby residents were evacuated. Rescue personnel have reduced the risk of secondary incidents by setting up isolation belts and firebreaks, as well as using spraying and humidification measures. At present, the investigation into the cause of the accident and followup handling are still underway.