Clare Jim May 5, 2026 — 3:30pm Hong Kong: A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province killed 21 people and injured 61, prompting President Xi Jinping to call for a thorough investigation, state media reported on Tuesday. The blast in Hunan’s capital city of Changsha, home to a hub for fireworks manufacturing, occurred on Monday about 4.40pm (6.40pm AEST), according to reports by CCTV and Xinhua. Videos on Chinese internet platforms showed thick smoke billowing from a large site with collapsed buildings and debris strewn around the area. Reuters could not verify the footage. Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers and medical personnel attended the scene, according to the South China Morning Post. Firefighters spray water at the scene of the blast in Changsha. AP To reduce risks during the operation, rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards. They also deployed three robots to assist with the search-and-rescue operation.…