The explosion happened at around 4.40pm on Monday in Hunan’s Liuyang, known as China’s fireworks capital because it manufactures 60% of the domestic supply of the devices and about 70% of exports.

Xinhua said on-site research and rescue work had been completed and 51 people are being treated at hospitals.

“An investigation into the incident has been launched and police have summoned eight people for questioning on suspicion of causing the deadly explosion,” state media said.

The probe is under the supervision of China’s top prosecutors, while Hunan has ordered the suspension of operations for all fireworks plants in the city for safety inspections.

In June, an explosion at a fireworks factory in Hunan killed nine people.

In 2019, a chemical plant blast in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu left 78 people dead.