HUNAN: A blast at a fireworks factory in Hunan Province has killed 21 people and left 61 wounded, according to state media.

The explosion at the Huasheng Fireworks plant occurred at around 16:40 local time (08:40 GMT) on Monday in the city of Liuyang, prompting rescuers to evacuate everyone within a 3km (1.9mi) radius of the site.

Authorities deployed nearly 500 personnel to carry out search and rescue operations and treat the injured. Robots were also used to help locate people trapped inside the building.

Police investigating the cause of the blast have taken “control measures” against the person in charge of the fireworks company, state media reported.

Officials said two gunpowder warehouses within the factory posed a high risk during the rescue efforts.

Rescue teams evacuated everyone within the 3km radius and implemented measures such as humidifying the area to prevent secondary accidents during operations.

The explosion was so powerful that windows of a nearby residential building were shattered, a CCTV reporter said in a televised report from the scene.

According to CCTV, those injured range in age from their 20s to 60s, with some suffering bone injuries after being struck by flying debris.