At least 26 people are dead and 61 others injured following a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in central China. The blast forced the immediate shutdown of operations, according to the Associated Press and Reuters.
The explosion occurred Monday afternoon at a plant operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a city in Hunan province known as a global hub for fireworks production.
Authorities have detained the person in charge of the company but have not released their name. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
More than 1,500 rescue workers were deployed to the scene, assisted by drones and robots to mitigate risks to human rescuers. Nearby residents were evacuated due to the high danger posed by two black powder warehouses near the explosion site.
Huasheng had been ordered to halt production. Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang expressed deep condolences for the victims and apologies to the community. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "all-out efforts" in the search for the missing and stricter risk controls.
Liuyang has a centuries-old tradition of fireworks manufacturing, with origins tracing back to the Tang dynasty.