This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-33954844
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
China Tianjin explosions: Premier Li Keqiang visits scene | China Tianjin explosions: Premier Li Keqiang visits scene |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has visited the victims of a major disaster at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin. | Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has visited the victims of a major disaster at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin. |
A series of explosions at the facility on Wednesday, claimed at least 112 lives. Ninety-five people, most of them firefighters, are still missing. | A series of explosions at the facility on Wednesday, claimed at least 112 lives. Ninety-five people, most of them firefighters, are still missing. |
Mr Li met those who had been injured and displaced by the blasts. | Mr Li met those who had been injured and displaced by the blasts. |
A senior military officer said "several hundred" tonnes of the toxic chemical sodium cyanide had been identified at two locations in the blast zone. | |
Of the 721 people injured, 25 are in critical condition and 33 are serious. | Of the 721 people injured, 25 are in critical condition and 33 are serious. |
The premier also met recovery teams and environmental monitors who are trying to secure the site, much of which was flattened by the explosions. | The premier also met recovery teams and environmental monitors who are trying to secure the site, much of which was flattened by the explosions. |
An investigation is under way to ascertain what triggered the disaster. | An investigation is under way to ascertain what triggered the disaster. |
Dozens of relatives of the missing and local residents have held a number of angry protests at a hotel used for official news conferences. | Dozens of relatives of the missing and local residents have held a number of angry protests at a hotel used for official news conferences. |
They say they have not received enough information from the government about what chemicals are at the site. | They say they have not received enough information from the government about what chemicals are at the site. |
Meanwhile, a number of websites have been shut down for allegedly spreading unverified information about the blasts. | Meanwhile, a number of websites have been shut down for allegedly spreading unverified information about the blasts. |
The state news agency Xinhua said 50 sites were accused of creating panic by publishing rumours. | The state news agency Xinhua said 50 sites were accused of creating panic by publishing rumours. |
What is sodium cyanide? | What is sodium cyanide? |
The chemical sodium cyanide is white crystalline or granular powder which can be rapidly fatal if inhaled or ingested, as it interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. | The chemical sodium cyanide is white crystalline or granular powder which can be rapidly fatal if inhaled or ingested, as it interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. |
It is mostly used in chemical manufacturing, for fumigation and in the mining industry to extract gold and silver. | It is mostly used in chemical manufacturing, for fumigation and in the mining industry to extract gold and silver. |
It is soluble in water, and absorbs water from air, and its dust is also easy to inhale. When dissolved or burned, it releases the highly poisonous gas hydrogen cyanide. | It is soluble in water, and absorbs water from air, and its dust is also easy to inhale. When dissolved or burned, it releases the highly poisonous gas hydrogen cyanide. |
Potent chemical mix behind blasts | Potent chemical mix behind blasts |
What we know about explosions | What we know about explosions |
The questions being asked by Chinese citizens | The questions being asked by Chinese citizens |
'Hero' firefighters hailed | 'Hero' firefighters hailed |
'Like the end of the world': Residents' stories | 'Like the end of the world': Residents' stories |
Twenty-four of the victims had been identified by Sunday and experts are carrying out further DNA tests. | Twenty-four of the victims had been identified by Sunday and experts are carrying out further DNA tests. |
Troops equipped with chemical warfare protection entered the site of the blasts on Saturday, to deal with a dangerous cocktail of chemicals. | Troops equipped with chemical warfare protection entered the site of the blasts on Saturday, to deal with a dangerous cocktail of chemicals. |
Officials had previously confirmed the presence of calcium carbide, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate. Calcium carbide reacts with water to create the highly explosive acetylene. | Officials had previously confirmed the presence of calcium carbide, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate. Calcium carbide reacts with water to create the highly explosive acetylene. |
Sodium cyanide was also discovered in large quantities at the site. | |
Greenpeace said tests in the area showed that water supplies were not severely contaminated with the cyanide, but that did not "disprove the presence of other hazardous chemicals". | Greenpeace said tests in the area showed that water supplies were not severely contaminated with the cyanide, but that did not "disprove the presence of other hazardous chemicals". |
The operators of the Tianjin facility have been accused of violating safety procedures. | The operators of the Tianjin facility have been accused of violating safety procedures. |
Prosecutors are to set up a team to investigate any possible offenses related to the disaster, including dereliction of duty. | Prosecutors are to set up a team to investigate any possible offenses related to the disaster, including dereliction of duty. |
The Chinese government has also ordered officials to make nationwide checks on dangerous chemicals and explosives and to "crack down unwaveringly on illegal activities to ensure safety". | The Chinese government has also ordered officials to make nationwide checks on dangerous chemicals and explosives and to "crack down unwaveringly on illegal activities to ensure safety". |
Previous version
1
Next version