China fireworks factory explosion in Liuyang kills 21
An explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, in China's Hunan province, has killed 21 people and injured 61, according to state media.
The blast happened at the Huasheng Fireworks plant at about 16:40 local time on Monday.
Rescuers evacuated everyone within a 3km radius of the site and deployed nearly 500 personnel to search for people trapped inside the building and treat the wounded.
Robots were also used in the rescue effort.
Police are investigating the cause of the explosion and have taken control measures against the person in charge of the fireworks company, state media reported.
Authorities said two gunpowder warehouses in the factory area posed a high risk during the operation.
The blast caused damage beyond the plant itself.
Windows in a nearby residential building were shattered, and residents living about 1km away reported broken glass, damaged window frames and twisted doors.
The incident matters because Liuyang is widely known for fireworks manufacturing and the city has a concentration of related industry.
