Death toll rises to 14 in C China firework plant blast

The death toll of a blast in a fireworks plant in Liling, central China's Hunan Province, has risen to 14, according to the State Administration of Work Safety on Sunday.

The blast happened at around 3 p.m. last Monday at the Nanyang Export Fireworks Factory in Baofeng Village of Liling, when 47 workers were on duty.

Liling is a major production base for China's fireworks, which play an important role in traditional celebrations.

The administration held a tele-meeting on Sunday on national firework production safety and vowed to crack down on illegal operations in the sector.

Five officials in Hunan Province have been removed from their posts over the accident.