The fireworks factory explosion in Liuyang killed 21 people and injured 61 others, Xinhua News Agency reported on the morning of May 5.
The explosion occurred at about 4:40 pm on May 4 at a workshop of Hoa Sinh Fireworks Production and Display Company in a district-level city famous for fireworks production.
Videos circulating on Chinese Internet platforms show thick white smoke rising from the explosion site.
The explosion also broke doors and windows of neighboring villages. Residents said heavy soil and rocks were blown off the road during the explosion. Some residents left the village for safety reasons.
General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping called for maximum efforts to search for those still missing and rescue those injured.
