BEIJING: The death toll from a fireworks factory explosion in China’s southern Hunan province has climbed to 37, while one person remains missing, according to state news agency Xinhua.
The explosion took place at around 4:40 p.m. (0840 GMT) on Monday in Hunan’s Liuyang, known as China’s fireworks capital because it manufactures 60% of the domestic supply of the devices and about 70% of exports.
Rescue teams have concluded on-site searches and recovery efforts after the blast, which left widespread destruction, with factory buildings reduced to rubble and surrounding infrastructure severely damaged.
An investigation into the incident has been launched and police have summoned eight people for questioning on suspicion of causing the deadly explosion, state media said.
The probe is under supervision of China’s top prosecutors while Hunan has ordered the suspension of operations for all fireworks plants in the city for safety inspections.
This latest disaster has once again drawn attention to industrial safety standards in China’s fireworks sector.
In a similar incident in June, a fireworks factory explosion in the same province killed nine people, raising concerns over repeated safety lapses. Historically, China has witnessed several major industrial accidents.
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