Liuyang Fireworks Factory Explosion in Hunan

On 04/05/2026, a massive explosion tore through the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. facility in Liuyang, Hunan Province, China, killing 37 people, injuring 51 others, and leaving one person missing. The blast occurred at approximately 4:43 p.m. local time inside a production workshop at the factory, which is located in Guandu Town, an area known for its extensive fireworks manufacturing industry. Chinese authorities later described the incident as the country’s deadliest industrial accident since the 2019 Jiangsu chemical plant explosion that killed 78 people. Initial reports released on 05/05/2026 stated that at least 26 people had died and 61 were injured. As rescue teams continued searching through the heavily damaged site, the confirmed death toll later rose to 37. More than 480 rescue workers, along with drones, rescue robots, and specialized emergency response teams, were deployed to the scene. Authorities also evacuated nearby residents because two black powder storage warehouses near the blast site posed a risk of secondary explosions. The explosion caused severe structural damage across the factory complex. Media footage and eyewitness accounts showed collapsed buildings, shattered windows in nearby homes, and large plumes of smoke rising above the industrial area. Rescue operations were complicated by the presence of combustible chemicals and fireworks materials stored throughout the plant. Emergency teams established isolation zones and used humidification measures to reduce the risk of additional blasts while searching for survivors. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a full investigation into the disaster and called for strict accountability measures. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing traveled to the site to oversee rescue and emergency operations. Authorities detained the person in charge of the company and launched a formal investigation supervised by national prosecutors. Following the incident, all fireworks manufacturers in Liuyang were ordered to suspend operations for comprehensive safety inspections. Reports also revealed that Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. had previously been fined for safety violations involving hazardous chemical handling earlier in 2026. Liuyang is widely recognized as China’s “fireworks capital,” producing around 60% of the country’s domestic fireworks supply and approximately 70% of exports. The city has experienced several fireworks-related accidents in previous years, including a deadly explosion in 2019. The 2026 disaster renewed scrutiny over industrial safety enforcement within China’s fireworks manufacturing sector, which remains economically important but highly hazardous. Why This Moment Matters : The Liuyang fireworks factory explosion drew national attention not only because of the high death toll, but also because it exposed continuing safety risks in one of China’s most concentrated industrial sectors. The incident prompted citywide factory shutdowns, criminal investigations, and renewed discussion around enforcement standards in hazardous manufacturing industries.