China fireworks factory blast leaves several dead

Chinese authorities are carrying out rescue operations but the efforts have been complicated by a risk of additional explosions and the lack fo a large water source nearby.

An explosion at a fireworks factory in a village in central China's Hunan province has left at least nine people dead and 26 others injured, state-run National Radio said.

The blast occurred at 8:23 am local time (0:23 GMT) in the Hunan province on Monday. The reported death toll was as of 9 am (0:53 GMT) Tuesday, with rescue operation still ongoing.

The radio channel reported a "complicated" rescue effort as there was a risk of additional explosions. The factory was in a "mountainous area with no large water source."