An explosion at a fireworks plant in a province in central China killed at least 26 people and injured 61 others, authorities reported Tuesday.

At least 26 people are dead and 61 have been injured after an explosion at a fireworks factory in China.

The central government had sent experts to guide rescue efforts, while more than 480 rescuers had been urgently dispatched to the site for search-and-rescue operations, CCTV reported.