The fireworks plant explosion on Monday in central China's Hunan Province has left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Chen Bozhang, mayor of Changsha, expressed condolences to the victims, and apologized to their families, affected residents, and society as a whole.

"We are deeply grieved and filled with remorse," he said.

Before the press conference, attendees observed a moment of silence for the victims.

The explosion occurred at around 4:43 p.m. Monday at the plant of Huasheng fireworks manufacturing and display company in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha, capital city of Hunan.