<p>Beijing: Nine people have died and 26 others injured when a massive explosion rocked a fireworks factory in central China.</p>.<p>The explosion took place at Linli County in Hunan province on Monday, official media reported on Tuesday.</p>.<p>Videos on state-run media platforms showed the massive explosion followed by a thick plume of smoke rising from the factory site. The blast caused extensive damage to the neighbourhood buildings, where people were seen scampering for cover to escape the falling debris.</p>.<p>A search and rescue operation is currently underway, and an investigation team has been formed to determine the cause of the accident, the state-run <em>Xinhua</em> news agency reported.</p>.US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions.<p>China's Ministry of Emergency Management said on Tuesday that it has dispatched a team to guide the rescue efforts at the site.</p>.<p>The ministry has urged relevant authorities to promptly identify all individuals affected by the explosion and to ensure that no secondary accidents occur.</p>.<p>Efforts must be made to ascertain the cause of the explosion as soon as possible and to hold those responsible accountable, it said. </p>
<p>Beijing: Nine people have died and 26 others injured when a massive explosion rocked a fireworks factory in central China.</p>.<p>The explosion took place at Linli County in Hunan province on Monday, official media reported on Tuesday.</p>.<p>Videos on state-run media platforms showed the massive explosion followed by a thick plume of smoke rising from the factory site. The blast caused extensive damage to the neighbourhood buildings, where people were seen scampering for cover to escape the falling debris.</p>.<p>A search and rescue operation is currently underway, and an investigation team has been formed to determine the cause of the accident, the state-run <em>Xinhua</em> news agency reported.</p>.US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions.<p>China's Ministry of Emergency Management said on Tuesday that it has dispatched a team to guide the rescue efforts at the site.</p>.<p>The ministry has urged relevant authorities to promptly identify all individuals affected by the explosion and to ensure that no secondary accidents occur.</p>.<p>Efforts must be made to ascertain the cause of the explosion as soon as possible and to hold those responsible accountable, it said. </p>