Rescuers work on site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province, May 5, 2026. The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

CHANGSHA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Chen Bozhang, mayor of Changsha, expressed condolences to the victims, and apologized to their families, affected residents, and society as a whole.

"We are deeply grieved and filled with remorse," he said.

Before the press conference, attendees observed a moment of silence for the victims.

The explosion occurred at around 4:43 p.m. Monday at the plant of Huasheng fireworks manufacturing and display company in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha, capital city of Hunan. ■

This photo taken on May 5, 2026 shows a view of the rescue site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province. The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Rescuers work on site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province, May 5, 2026. The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday.

So far, the rescue is almost finished, and environmental indicators from real-time monitoring of air and water have been normal.

The person in charge of the company has been detained by police and the cause of the accident is being investigated. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Rescuers work on site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province, May 5, 2026. The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday.

So far, the rescue is almost finished, and environmental indicators from real-time monitoring of air and water have been normal.

The person in charge of the company has been detained by police and the cause of the accident is being investigated. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Rescuers work on site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province, May 5, 2026. The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday.

So far, the rescue is almost finished, and environmental indicators from real-time monitoring of air and water have been normal.

The person in charge of the company has been detained by police and the cause of the accident is being investigated. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)