At least 26 people have been killed and 61 injured by an explosion at a fireworks factory in central China.

A powerful explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in central China’s Hunan province killed 21 people and injured around 60, triggering a massive rescue operation, state media reported on Tuesday.

Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene, and people staying in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses at the site, the report said.