An explosion at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, according to state media reports. The blast occurred at the manufacturing facility in the central Chinese province, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.

Authorities have detained the person in charge of the facility as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a thorough probe into the explosion, state media reported.

The death toll reported varies slightly among sources, with some outlets citing at least 26 fatalities, though most reports confirm at least 21 people were killed. The incident appears to be among China's deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.

Fireworks manufacturing has been associated with safety risks due to the volatile nature of the materials involved. China is a major producer of fireworks globally, with numerous manufacturing facilities operating throughout the country.

Investigations into the specific circumstances that led to the explosion are ongoing, as authorities work to determine what safety protocols may have failed and whether any regulatory violations occurred at the facility.