On Monday afternoon, a massive explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, sent shockwaves through the region and claimed a number of lives. The incident, which occurred around 4:40 p.m., triggered immediate chaos as nearby residents fled and emergency services rushed to the scene.
President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued an urgent directive calling for all‑out rescue operations. He ordered authorities to prioritize the search for any remaining missing persons, provide swift medical care for the injured, and ensure that the aftermath is handled with the utmost efficiency. In his instructions, Xi emphasized the need for rigorous risk screening and hazard control across key sectors, as well as strengthened public safety management to protect both lives and property.
The Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also called for intensified workplace safety measures in critical industries. He warned that lax safety protocols must be rectified promptly to prevent the recurrence of major accidents, underscoring the government’s commitment to safeguarding workers and the public.
The Ministry of Emergency Management quickly dispatched a specialized team to Liuyang to guide the on‑site rescue and relief efforts. Local fire brigades, medical teams, and disaster response units have been working around the clock, treating the injured and searching through debris. The Ministry has stressed the importance of coordination among various agencies to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that rescue operations continue without interruption.
President Xi demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and insisted that those found responsible be held accountable. He called on officials across all regions to draw lessons from this tragedy, reinforce responsibility for workplace safety, and implement stricter oversight mechanisms to avert future disasters.
As rescue work continues, the nation remains on high alert, with authorities urging the public to stay informed about safety advisories and to cooperate with emergency personnel. The incident has once again highlighted the critical importance of robust safety standards in high‑risk industries across the Chinese mainland.
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President Xi urges rescue work after fireworks plant explosion
cgtn.com
