TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council on Tuesday expressed condolences following a deadly explosion at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan Province that killed 26 people and injured 61.
The blast occurred Monday at the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, prompting authorities to evacuate residents within a 3-kilometer radius. The council said no Taiwanese nationals are known to have been killed or injured in the incident, per CNA.
Taiwan’s government extended its sympathies to the Chinese authorities in an official statement. “We pray for the deceased to rest in peace and for the injured to recover quickly, and hope damage will be minimized and subsequent recovery work proceeds smoothly.”
Following the explosion, all fireworks and firecracker production enterprises in Liuyang have been suspended pending an investigation and safety inspections. The area is the world’s largest producer of fireworks, accounting for about 70% of China’s exports, according to Chinese media, per CNA.
The government said a review of its registration system for Taiwanese traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macao found 14 Taiwanese currently in Hunan Province. It tasked the Straits Exchange Foundation with monitoring the situation through various channels.
The foundation is a semi-official body that handles matters involving Taiwanese in China. It reminded travelers in the area to remain vigilant and pay attention to their safety. The emergency hotline is (02) 2533-9995.
