An explosion at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Changsha, capital of China's Hunan province, killed 21 people and injured 61, according to state media. The blast occurred at around 4:40 p.m. local time (0840 GMT) on Monday, prompting emergency forces to rush to the site.

Footage circulating on Chinese social media showed smoke rising from a damaged industrial compound with collapsed structures and scattered debris, though Reuters could not independently verify the videos. Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers, and medical staff were deployed to the scene, the South China Morning Post reported. The company could not be reached for comment.

President Xi Jinping called for a swift and thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and demanded strict accountability, Xinhua news agency reported. Xi also instructed authorities to strengthen risk assessments and safety controls in key industrial sectors and to safeguard public life and property.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in China's industrial sector, particularly in fireworks production, a major export industry. China exported $1.14 billion in fireworks in 2023, accounting for over two-thirds of global exports, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Authorities will continue rescue operations and launch a formal investigation into the explosion, while central leadership pushes for nationwide improvements in disaster prevention and industrial safety protocols.