President Xi Jinping has ordered all‑out rescue operations following a tragic explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, a county‑level city under Changsha, capital of Hunan Province on the Chinese mainland. The blast occurred around 4:40 p.m. local time on Monday, causing heavy casualties and leaving many people unaccounted for.
In his directive, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for strengthened risk screening and hazard control in key sectors, enhanced public safety management, and intensified efforts to safeguard lives and property. Local authorities have mobilized emergency response teams, medical personnel, and rescue crews to search for survivors and provide aid to the injured.
The incident has drawn attention to safety standards in the fireworks industry, a traditional yet hazardous sector in many parts of the Chinese mainland. Experts are urging a review of storage and handling procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Residents in the surrounding area reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a column of smoke rising from the plant. Eyewitnesses described a rapid response from firefighters and police, who set up perimeter zones to protect bystanders and facilitate rescue work.
President Xi’s emphasis on rapid rescue and preventive measures reflects the government’s commitment to protecting its people amid ongoing industrial growth. Officials have pledged a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and a comprehensive safety overhaul across similar facilities.
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President Xi urges rescue work after fireworks plant explosion
cgtn.com
