BEIJING (AP) 鈥� An explosion at a fireworks plant in a central province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, state media reported Tuesday.
China鈥檚 official news agency Xinhua said the blast occurred at a fireworks plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the plant was operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in the Changsha-administered, county-level city of , a prominent fireworks powerhouse.
Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke still billowing in certain areas of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged.
Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and people staying in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses at the site, the Xinhua report said.
Authorities were investigating the cause of the blast but had taken 鈥渃ontrol measures鈥� against those in charge of the company, it said, without specifying the measures.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged 鈥渁ll-out efforts鈥� to search for people who are still unaccounted for and save the injured. He called on authorities to investigate the cause swiftly and pursue serious accountability, the report said. Xi also ordered effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.
To prevent other accidents during the operation, rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards.
They also deployed three robots to help with the search and rescue operation.
In February, China reported at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.
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