China Fireworks Explosion

Authorities in China say an explosion at a fireworks plant in a central Chinese province has killed at least 26 people and injured 61 others. China’s official news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday that the blast occurred at a fireworks plant in the city of Changsha in Hunan province on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of rescuers were deployed to the scene and residents in danger zones were evacuated. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast and police have detained the person in charge of the company. Local media reported that all fireworks manufacturers in the Changsha-administered and county-level city of Liuyang have been ordered to halt production.