12 killed as explosion rips through fireworks factory in China

An explosion at a fireworks factory in southern China killed 12 people and injured 33 others, the local government said on Tuesday.

Two people were also missing following Monday’s blast, which shook Nanyang Export Fireworks Factory, the city of Liling in Hunan province said.

It revised the injured toll down from 38 because it said five people who had been transferred between hospitals were counted twice.

It did not say what caused the explosion but said it was a work safety incident. The factory is properly licensed, it said.

Workplace accidents are common in China because of lax enforcement of safety regulations, although safety standards are improving.

In June last year, an explosion at a lightning and fireworks plant in Fuzhou, Jiangxi province, left at least three dead and 45 injured. Most of the injuries were caused by the shockwave or flying bricks and glass.