The State Council has announced the establishment of a specialized investigation team to conduct a thorough probe into a devastating fireworks plant explosion in the Chinese mainland's Hunan Province. The mission is to determine the exact causes of the tragedy and ensure that those responsible are held strictly accountable.
The explosion occurred at approximately 4:43 p.m. on Monday in Liuyang, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Changsha, the capital of Hunan. The incident has resulted in a heavy toll, with 26 people confirmed dead and 61 others injured.
In response to the crisis, Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice premier, arrived in Liuyang on Tuesday. Acting on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Zhang's visit focused on guiding the emergency rescue and response operations.
Upon his arrival, the vice premier visited the explosion site and local hospitals to receive detailed updates on the search for missing persons and the medical treatment of the injured. Zhang subsequently convened a meeting at the on-site command center to optimize rescue efforts, refine medical care, and organize the aftermath and investigation process.
Emphasizing the gravity of the event, Zhang stated that authorities in Hunan and relevant departments must draw profound lessons from the accident. He urged for a rigorous process to identify and rectify risks and hidden dangers within key industries and sectors to safeguard the lives and property of the public.
The vice premier demanded all-out efforts to locate the missing, calling for the deployment of professional teams to conduct scientific search and rescue operations while prioritizing the prevention of secondary casualties. He further noted that high-level medical resources should be mobilized to treat the injured and that the families of the deceased should be comforted with patience and meticulous care.
Looking toward future prevention, Zhang called for intensified efforts to crack down on illegal and non-compliant activities within the fireworks and hazardous chemicals industries, stressing the urgent need to prevent further major and serious accidents.
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State Council to set up team to probe Hunan fireworks plant explosion
cgtn.com
