A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61, prompting the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to call for a thorough investigation, state media reported on Tuesday.

China’s official news agency Xinhua said the blast happened in Changsha city on Monday afternoon. Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed and people were evacuated from danger zones by authorities who citied the risk from two black powder warehouses, the report said.

The blast occurred on Monday just before 5pm, according to reports by CCTV and Xinhua.
Photograph: cnsphoto/Reuters

Authorities were investigating the cause and had taken “control measures” against those in charge of the company, the report said, without specifying the measures.

Emergency workers were using three robots to help with the search and rescue operation.

Xi ordered authorities to strengthen risk screening and hazard control in key industries, according to Xinhua.

In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.

With Associated Press and Reuters