A recent drone show in Liuyang, China, turned chaotic when hundreds of drones malfunctioned mid-performance, raining fiery debris on spectators. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
On October 2, 2025, during a National Day celebration at the Sky Theatre in Liuyang, Hunan Province, a large-scale drone and fireworks display titled “October: The Sound of Blooming Flowers” went disastrously wrong. The drones, programmed to create synchronized 3D visual effects over land and water, began to malfunction shortly after they took off. Dozens of drones lost control, caught fire, and plummeted toward the crowd, sparking panic and chaos.
What Happened
- Flaming drones crashed near spectators, with some bursting into fireballs mid-air.
- Attendees fled for safety, using chairs as makeshift shields against falling sparks.
- Small fires broke out across the city but were quickly extinguished thanks to a rapid emergency response.
- A one-mile evacuation zone was established, and extra firefighters were deployed to prevent further disaster.
Viral Reactions
Videos of the incident flooded social media, showing the once-beautiful display turning into a fiery shower. Hashtags like #LiuyangDroneIncident and #DroneShowFailed trended on platforms like Weibo. Comments ranged from shock and disbelief to humor, with some joking about needing “fireproof umbrellas”.
Safety Concerns
Officials suspect unusually dry weather may have contributed to the malfunction. The incident has reignited debates about the safety of drone-based pyrotechnic shows, especially over densely packed crowds.
Despite the terrifying visuals and widespread panic, no injuries were officially reported, though some social media posts mentioned minor burns. Authorities are investigating the cause, and the event has prompted calls for stricter safety protocols in future drone performances.