Working team sent to Central China following fireworks factory explosion

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Emergency Management said on Tuesday that it had dispatched a working team to Central China's Hunan province following an explosion at a fireworks factory.

The explosion occurred at Shanzhou Fireworks Co Ltd in Linli county under Changde city at approximately 8:23 am Monday. As of 9 am Tuesday, the incident had left nine people dead and 26 injured, according to the on-site rescue headquarters.

The working team is tasked with guiding rescue efforts at the site.

The ministry has urged relevant authorities to promptly identify all individuals affected by the explosion and to ensure that no secondary accidents occur.

Efforts must be made to ascertain the cause of the explosion as soon as possible and to hold those responsible accountable, according to the ministry.