An explosion at a fireworks factory in central China killed nine people and injured 26 others, state media said on Tuesday, as challenging on-site rescue work continued a day after the incident.

The blast occurred shortly before 8:30 am Monday at a factory in a village outside Changde, a city in Hunan province, state-run China National Radio said. As of 9 am on Tuesday, nine people were dead and 26 injured, CNR said, citing a rescue command centre.

Rescue work at the scene was ongoing, CNR reported, noting a “complicated” situation and the risk of additional explosions hampering response efforts.