A Tragic Explosion in Liuyang
A deadly explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan province, has resulted in the loss of 26 lives. The incident occurred on Monday at around 4:40 pm in a workshop at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, a facility located in a city renowned for its fireworks production. The explosion has prompted significant action from the Chinese government, with Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing being sent to oversee the aftermath.
Zhang Guoqing, representing the State Council, has announced that an investigation team will be formed to determine the cause of the blast and ensure appropriate criminal penalties are enforced. He emphasized the need to hold accountable both firework producers who violate safety regulations and regulators who fail to perform their duties properly.
Details of the Incident
The mayor of Changsha, Chen Bozhang, confirmed that the death toll had reached 26 by Tuesday, with 61 people injured. Among the victims, the oldest was 68 years old, while the youngest was in their twenties. Many of the injured were rushed to local hospitals for emergency treatment, primarily suffering from bone injuries. Six of the injured were reported to be in intensive care.
The on-site search and rescue operation involved over 1,500 personnel from various departments, including fire, emergency response, public security, and health. This operation has been largely completed, and local air and water quality is being monitored in real time, with all environmental indicators remaining normal.
Chen Bozhang also apologized on behalf of the local government for the accident and pledged to conduct thorough safety checks in similar companies immediately. President Xi Jinping urged efforts to locate those still unaccounted for and to save the injured. Online footage showed thick white smoke rising from the explosion site, with the blast causing damage to neighboring homes, including broken doors and windows.
Recent Safety Concerns
This incident occurred less than three months after a similar explosion in Hubei province, which killed 12 people. In response, Xi Jinping called for proper handling of the aftermath and a prompt investigation into the accident, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable. Premier Li Qiang also emphasized the importance of strengthening workplace safety in key industries and sectors to prevent major accidents.
The Liuyang police department has detained the company’s senior executives for an investigation into the cause of the accident, which is ongoing. Villagers living within 3 km (1.9 miles) of the plant were evacuated, as two warehouses containing black gunpowder posed a significant risk. Firefighters used water cannons to soak the scene, and three rescue robots were deployed for search and rescue operations.
Impact on the Community
Drone footage broadcast by CCTV showed that building structures around the center of the explosion were nearly flattened, with white smoke still visible in several spots. However, the fire itself was successfully extinguished. Explosions related to firecrackers and fireworks are not uncommon in China, especially during traditional festive seasons such as the Chinese New Year.
Some cities have banned fireworks due to safety concerns and air pollution, but these measures have faced resistance because fireworks remain central to festivities, believed to scare off evil spirits according to tradition.
Background on Huasheng Fireworks Company
Huasheng Fireworks Company was established on August 2, 2000, with a registered capital of 5.4 million yuan (US$790,000). In February, the company was fined 15,000 yuan (US$2,200) by the Liuyang Emergency Management Bureau for safety violations. Records showed that a worker had stored industrial potassium perchlorate and phthalate together, which should be kept separate.
These ingredients are commonly used in environmentally friendly fireworks, creating a “greener” bursting charge as a stable, lower-smoke alternative to traditional compositions.
Liuyang’s Fireworks Industry
Dubbed “China’s fireworks capital,” Liuyang is a major center for fireworks and firecracker production, with over 430 companies accounting for about 60% of China’s market share. According to People’s Daily, the industry employed more than 300,000 people and had a total output value of 50.22 billion yuan (US$7.35 billion) in a February 2025 report.
The local government organizes the annual Liuyang International Fireworks display, which set a Guinness World Record in October for the largest drone formation flight, carrying fireworks with a total of 15,947 drones.
Liuyang’s mayor, Dai Shuiwen, ordered all fireworks and firecracker producers in the area to stop production for safety inspections as of 7 pm on Monday.
