Massive Fireworks Factory Explosion In South China Injures 53, Kills 3

The blast was so strong that doors and windows of residential homes in the area were destroyed with glass shards scattered around.

Smoke rises over the rubble of a fireworks factory after an explosion near Shangrao in southern China's Jiangxi province Wednesday Jan. 20, 2016. (Chinatopix via AP) CHINA OUT
Smoke rises over the rubble of a fireworks factory after an explosion near Shangrao in southern China's Jiangxi province Wednesday Jan. 20, 2016. (Chinatopix via AP) CHINA OUT

A massive explosion Wednesday at a fireworks plant in southern China killed three people and injured 53, while shattering windows of homes in the area, officials and state media reports said.

One additional person was missing from the blast that shook Hongsheng Fireworks Plant in a village outside the city of Shangrao in Jiangxi province, state-run Xinhua News Agency said. A local government confirmed the incident on its official website and said that about 1,000 people were evacuated from the area.

The blast was so strong that doors and windows of residential homes in the area were destroyed with glass shards scattered around, the district government of Guangfeng said.

Smoke rises over the rubble of a fireworks factory after an explosion near Shangrao in southern China's Jiangxi province Wednesday Jan. 20, 2016. (Chinatopix via AP) CHINA OUTSmoke rises over the rubble of a fireworks factory after an explosion near Shangrao in southern China's Jiangxi province Wednesday Jan. 20, 2016. (Chinatopix via AP) CHINA OUT

It said the cause of the blast was under investigation and that the factory had the safety license to operate.

Last week, an explosion at a fireworks factory in the central Chinese province of Henan killed 10 people and injured seven.

China is about two and a half weeks away from Lunar New Year celebrations, when holiday revelers set off fireworks. There are frequent fireworks-related incidents at factories in the weeks leading to the holiday, as China generally has a poor record in workplace safety.

Correction: Our Today In Manufacturing newsletter subject line incorrectly named South Carolina as the site of the explosion instead of South China.

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