China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) will oversee the investigation into a fireworks factory explosion in central China's Hunan Province, according to an official statement released on Thursday.

The explosion, which occurred on Monday at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, a county-level city, has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured.

This aerial drone photo taken on May 5, 2026 shows the explosion site of a fireworks plant in Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province. (Photo: Xinhua)

The SPP instructed the procuratorial organ in Hunan to fully perform its duties and work with the police and other departments to probe the accident's cause and determine accountability for all involved.

Those found bearing serious responsibility will face severe punishment in accordance with the law, the statement noted.

The SPP also urged procuratorial organs to crack down on criminal acts endangering workplace safety, analyze prominent problems in work safety risk prevention, and advance risk inspection and rectification across key industrial sectors.