Addis Ababa, May 8, 2026 (FMC) – The death toll from a fireworks factory explosion in China’s southern Hunan province has risen to 37, while one person remains missing, according to Chinese state media cited by Reuters.
The explosion occurred on Monday afternoon in Liuyang, a city widely known as China’s fireworks production hub. State media said dozens of people were also injured in the blast, with 51 victims currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.
Reuters, citing Xinhua News Agency, reported that rescue operations at the site have now been completed, while authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Chinese police have reportedly summoned eight individuals for questioning in connection with the incident.
The blast is being described as China’s deadliest industrial explosion since a 2019 chemical plant disaster in Jiangsu province that killed 78 people.
Following the incident, authorities in Hunan province ordered the suspension of operations at all fireworks factories in Liuyang pending safety inspections, Reuters reported.
Liuyang manufactures a significant share of China’s fireworks products, accounting for around 60 percent of domestic supply and nearly 70 percent of exports, according to the reports.