26 people have been killed following an explosion at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province. 61 others have been left wounded, China’s state media says.
According to authorities, two gunpowder warehouses within the factory area had posed a high risk amid rescue efforts.
The explosion that occurred on Monday, May 5, forced authorities to evacuate everyone within a 3km radius of the plant.
More than 1,500 emergency responders, along with dogs, drones, and robots, were deployed. Seven people who were trapped under debris were rescued during the operation.
Police investigating the cause of the blast have taken “control measures” against the staff in charge of the fireworks company, Chinese state media reported.
Besides evacuating people near the fireworks plant, rescuers also implemented measures like humidifying the area to “prevent secondary accidents during the rescue.”
