Bengaluru, Nov 12: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday expressed grief over the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar, describing him as a "value based" politician who made significant contribution to the country as a parliamentarian and an union minister.

"Kumar's pro-people attitude and activities made him apple of the eye of Bengalureans," Kumaraswamy said in a condolence message.

"Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and had given priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death," he said.

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Beijing (PTI): At least 26 people were killed and 61 others injured in a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province, officials said on Tuesday.

The explosion occurred on Monday afternoon at the plant operated by the Huasheng fireworks manufacturing and display company in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha, the provincial capital.

Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed massive destruction of property spanning several kilometres.

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More than 480 rescuers, organised into five teams, have been deployed for relief operations, with three rescue robots pressed into service.

Officials said 26 people were killed and 61 others were injured. The injured have been rushed to hospitals for treatment, while a second round of search operations is underway.

China is a leading manufacturer and exporter of fireworks.

As the explosion site is located near two black powder warehouses, the rescuers have evacuated nearby residents and set up a buffer zone to prevent a secondary accident, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched experts to the scene to guide rescue efforts.

The person in charge of the company has been detained by police and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the report said.