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The death toll from the explosion at a fireworks factory in central China has risen to 37, state media reported on Friday, making it one of the country’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.
The blast occurred on Monday at the Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang, Hunan province.
Videos circulating on social media after the incident showed repeated explosions and thick smoke billowing into the sky from the mountainous rural area.
State broadcaster CCTV added that the search and rescue operations at the site had largely been completed, with one person still missing and dozens of others receiving medical treatment.
Authorities also confirmed that police had summoned eight individuals in connection with the incident as investigations continue.
The latest casualty figure marks a sharp increase from the 26 deaths earlier reported on Tuesday.
Liuyang is regarded as one of China’s major fireworks production centres, accounting for about 60 per cent of domestic fireworks sales and roughly 70 per cent of exports.
Following the explosion, authorities have ordered all fireworks factories in Changsha, the provincial capital that oversees Liuyang, to suspend production pending safety inspections.
Industrial accidents remain a recurring concern in China, often linked to poor enforcement of safety standards.
