One person was killed and three others remain missing after blasts swept a fireworks plant in east China's Jiangxi Province early on Wednesday, according to local authorities.
The first blast ripped through a workshop of Hongsheng fireworks factory in Kunshan village, Guangfeng district, Shangrao city at around 0:30 a.m. Wednesday, said the city's emergency management office. Several blasts followed.
One of the missing people died after emergency treatment failed.
Rescuers have managed to pull out 21 people who were trapped in the dormitory area of the plant and sent them to hospital. More than 1,000 people nearby were evacuated to safe areas after the blasts.
Forty-eight injured people are being treated in the hospital.
Shock waves damaged some villagers' homes. Xinhua reporters saw sporadic minor blasts at the scene at 8 a.m..
The plant and all other 31 fireworks in Yangkou Township of Guangfeng have production permits. The executives of the plant were held by police for investigation.
The Guangfeng area boasts a history of more than 300 years in fireworks production.
The local rescue headquarters will work out a plan to help those whose homes were damaged sustain the upcoming freezing cold weather.
Jiangxi is forecast to embrace the coldest weather since 1992 between Jan. 23 and 26, with temperatures in mountainous areas plunging to minus 13 to 11 degrees Celsius.
