CHINA

Blast at Hunan Fireworks Plant Leaves 26 Dead, Dozens Injured

Published: May. 5, 2026 4:00 p.m. GMT+8

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An explosion occurred at a fireworks factory in Guandu Town, Liuyang City, Changsha, Hunan Province on May 4, 2026. Photo: CCTV News

A massive explosion at a fireworks factory in central China has killed 26 people and injured 61 others as of Tuesday, prompting top leaders to order an immediate investigation and a nationwide safety review during the country’s Labor Day holiday.

The blast occurred around 4:43 p.m. local time on Monday at a workshop owned by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a city in Hunan province renowned as China’s “hometown of fireworks.” As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the first round of search and rescue operations confirmed the casualties, with the injured rushed to local hospitals for emergency treatment, according to the state-run Hunan Daily.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

Explosion at Huasheng Fireworks in Liuyang, China, killed 26, injured 61.
Xi Jinping, Li Qiang order probe, nationwide safety review during Labor Day.
Company fined Feb. 2026 for unsafe chemical storage; executives detained.

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Who’s Who

Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co.: Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., in Liuyang, Hunan, China, suffered a deadly explosion at its workshop on Monday, killing 26 and injuring 61. Established Aug. 2000 with 5.4M yuan capital; represented by Hu Zhengping. Shareholders: Hunan Liuyang Fireworks (55%), Liuyang Liqi (30%), Wang Wei (15%). Fined Feb. 2026 for unsafe chemical storage; executives detained.

Hunan Liuyang Fireworks Co.: Hunan Liuyang Fireworks Co. is the largest shareholder of Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., holding a 55% stake. The company is based in Liuyang, Hunan province.

Liuyang Liqi Fireworks Trade Co.: Liuyang Liqi Fireworks Trade Co. holds a 30% stake in Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., the fireworks factory that exploded in Liuyang, Hunan province, killing 26 and injuring 61. It is the second-largest shareholder after Hunan Liuyang Fireworks Co. (55%).

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