National Mourning Day: Explosion at Yihua Fireworks Factory in Liling, Hunan, Official Concealment of Casualties

On October 5, 2024, around the 75th anniversary of the Communist Party’s rule (National Mourning Day), multiple violent incidents and explosions occurred in mainland China. Among them, there were two separate fireworks factory explosions in Liling, Hunan on October 1st and 3rd, with the authorities still concealing the casualties.

According to a report by Red Star News on October 5th, netizens on a short video platform claimed that there were two consecutive fireworks factory explosions in Liling, under the administration of Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province. These incidents reportedly took place on October 1st and 3rd, resulting in injuries to individuals.

The reporter from Red Star News verified with the Zhuzhou City Internet Information Office that indeed there were fireworks factory explosions in Liling. However, the official response stated that the public should refer to the local “Liling Announcement” for accurate information. According to the “Liling Announcement,” on the afternoon of October 3rd, the Emergency Management Bureau of Liling City briefed on the accidents that occurred in Wangxian Town on “10.1” and Shiting Town on “10.3.”

As of the date of publication, no specific information on casualties, investigation details, or actions taken regarding the two accidents could be found on the “Liling Announcement” public accounts or official Weibo platforms.

On October 5th, the reporter made multiple calls to the Liling City Committee Propaganda Department, Zhuzhou City Committee Propaganda Department, Liling City Emergency Management Bureau, Liling City Fire Brigade, and other relevant departments but did not receive any responses. According to online information, attempts to contact the two fireworks companies suspected to be involved in the incidents also yielded no responses.

Some mainland Chinese netizens commented on the news, “The casualties from the first explosion are still unknown by the fourth?” “There might be a significant number of deaths in the fireworks explosions as well.”

Before and after the 75th anniversary of the Communist Party’s rule, there were several accidents and violent incidents in mainland China.

On the afternoon of October 1st, a landslide occurred in Zhijin County, Guizhou Province, resulting in six deaths.

On the same day, multiple sources revealed that there was a shooting incident at the flag-raising ceremony in the Shaoyang Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province. Shaoyang Deputy Mayor and Public Security Bureau Director Li Changyue and a member of the special police force were shot and sent to the hospital. Reports indicated that Director Li Changyue was critically injured from the shooting and was undergoing treatment, while the shooter, Deputy Squadron Leader of the Special Police Second Squadron of the Shaoyang Public Security Bureau Patrol Special Police Detachment Duan Peng, had died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

On September 30th, in Songjiang District, Shanghai, a Walmart supermarket witnessed a random killing spree, officially reported to have resulted in 3 deaths and 15 injuries. However, insiders revealed that 7 people had died.

On September 29th, a serious traffic accident occurred in Zangtun Town, Dacheng County, Hebei Province, involving a collision between a truck and a bus. Local residents indicated that it appeared someone unable to cope with their circumstances detonated explosives on a bus. The out-of-control bus then collided with a large truck, resulting in multiple fatalities at the scene.