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Laura Bicker, China Correspondent

Watch: Drone vision reveals aftermath of fatal explosion at China fireworks factory

A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed 26 people and left 61 wounded, according to state media.

Rescue operations have wrapped up at the Huasheng Fireworks plant in the southern city of Liuyang, after an explosion on Monday afternoon forced authorities to evacuate everyone within a 3km (1.9 mile) radius of the plant.

Authorities deployed more than 1,500 emergency responders, while robots were used to help find those trapped within the building.

Police, who are investigating the cause of the blast, have taken "control measures" against the staff in charge of the fireworks company, Chinese state media reported.

Authorities said that two gunpowder warehouses within the factory area had posed a high risk amid rescue efforts, state media reported.

Besides evacuating people near the fireworks plant, rescuers also implemented measures like…