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China blasts: hundreds injured by explosions – as it happened China blasts: hundreds injured by explosions – as it happened
(30 days later)
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More drone footage shows the extent of the damage on the still smouldering site of the blasts.More drone footage shows the extent of the damage on the still smouldering site of the blasts.
We are going to wrap up this blog for now. Thanks for reading.We are going to wrap up this blog for now. Thanks for reading.
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at 3.56pm BSTat 3.56pm BST
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The US State department has offered its condolences.The US State department has offered its condolences.
Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims and families of explosion in Tianjin & first responders who are working to help those injured.Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims and families of explosion in Tianjin & first responders who are working to help those injured.
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Here’s what we know so far.Here’s what we know so far.
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New dash cam footage from a vehicle has emerged purporting to show the moment the explosions occurred. It shows people running for the cover of a security hut moments before the second blast lights up the street causing trees and lampposts to sway and setting debris flying.New dash cam footage from a vehicle has emerged purporting to show the moment the explosions occurred. It shows people running for the cover of a security hut moments before the second blast lights up the street causing trees and lampposts to sway and setting debris flying.
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The fire is now mostly under control but smoulder patches remain and local officials further efforts to put out flames have been suspended while chemical experts assess the hazardous materials on site, AP reports.The fire is now mostly under control but smoulder patches remain and local officials further efforts to put out flames have been suspended while chemical experts assess the hazardous materials on site, AP reports.
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The owners of warehouse where the explosions occurred were found to have flouted packaging standards during a safety inspection two years ago, Reuters reports citing a safety bureau.The owners of warehouse where the explosions occurred were found to have flouted packaging standards during a safety inspection two years ago, Reuters reports citing a safety bureau.
Of 4,325 containers owned by Tianjin Dongjiang Port Ruihai International Logistics that were checked, five failed the inspection because packaging was sub-standard, the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration said.Of 4,325 containers owned by Tianjin Dongjiang Port Ruihai International Logistics that were checked, five failed the inspection because packaging was sub-standard, the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration said.
A warehouse belonging to Ruihai Logistics has been identified by the official Xinhua news agency as the site of the explosions.A warehouse belonging to Ruihai Logistics has been identified by the official Xinhua news agency as the site of the explosions.
The administration examined thousands of containers owned by Ruihai Logistics, which describes itself as a government-approved firm specialising in handling “dangerous goods”, and four other companies, according to a report posted on the administration’s website in January last year.The administration examined thousands of containers owned by Ruihai Logistics, which describes itself as a government-approved firm specialising in handling “dangerous goods”, and four other companies, according to a report posted on the administration’s website in January last year.
The report said it had inspected more than 14,000 containers in total and found that 29 from the five firms had failed the packaging checks, with the main problem being inappropriate “danger” labelling.The report said it had inspected more than 14,000 containers in total and found that 29 from the five firms had failed the packaging checks, with the main problem being inappropriate “danger” labelling.
The inspection report did not provide further details about what was wrong with the packaging.The inspection report did not provide further details about what was wrong with the packaging.
The state-backed China Daily newspaper said Ruihai Logistics was a private company and that its manager had been detained by police.The state-backed China Daily newspaper said Ruihai Logistics was a private company and that its manager had been detained by police.
An official with Tianjin police declined to comment and referred Reuters to the Binhai New District government.An official with Tianjin police declined to comment and referred Reuters to the Binhai New District government.
According to a report by government environmental inspectors in 2014, the facility was designed to store several dangerous chemicals including sodium cyanide, classified as “extremely harmful”, as well as chemicals including explosives sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.According to a report by government environmental inspectors in 2014, the facility was designed to store several dangerous chemicals including sodium cyanide, classified as “extremely harmful”, as well as chemicals including explosives sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.
Phone numbers listed on the firm’s website were disconnected on Thursday and an email to the company went unanswered. Xinhua said 1,000 firefighters and more than 140 fire engines had struggled to contain the blaze at the warehouse.Phone numbers listed on the firm’s website were disconnected on Thursday and an email to the company went unanswered. Xinhua said 1,000 firefighters and more than 140 fire engines had struggled to contain the blaze at the warehouse.
“The volatility of the goods means the fire is especially unpredictable and dangerous to approach,” it said.“The volatility of the goods means the fire is especially unpredictable and dangerous to approach,” it said.
Here are images of the port area before and after the blasts.Here are images of the port area before and after the blasts.
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Almost 21 hours after the blasts some of the fires are still smouldering, according to an update from the state news agency. Xinhua added that the cause of the blast is still not known.Almost 21 hours after the blasts some of the fires are still smouldering, according to an update from the state news agency. Xinhua added that the cause of the blast is still not known.
Causes of #Tianjin blasts remain unknown, as fire hasn’t been completely put out: authorities pic.twitter.com/jV2Fv4wjwiCauses of #Tianjin blasts remain unknown, as fire hasn’t been completely put out: authorities pic.twitter.com/jV2Fv4wjwi
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Tom PhillipsTom Phillips
Tom Phillips highlights an alarming report in the Beijing News which claims that the warehouse at the centre of the blasts was storing at least 700 tonnes of the poison sodium cyanide.Tom Phillips highlights an alarming report in the Beijing News which claims that the warehouse at the centre of the blasts was storing at least 700 tonnes of the poison sodium cyanide.
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention this is a “highly toxic chemical asphyxiant” and exposure to it can be “rapidly fatal”.According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention this is a “highly toxic chemical asphyxiant” and exposure to it can be “rapidly fatal”.
It has whole-body (systemic) effects, particularly affecting those organ systems most sensitive to low oxygen levels: the central nervous system (brain), the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), and the pulmonary system (lungs). Sodium cyanide is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, extracting gold and silver from ores, and chemical manufacturing. Hydrogen cyanide gas released by sodium cyanide has a distinctive bitter almond odor (others describe a musty “old sneakers smell”).It has whole-body (systemic) effects, particularly affecting those organ systems most sensitive to low oxygen levels: the central nervous system (brain), the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), and the pulmonary system (lungs). Sodium cyanide is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, extracting gold and silver from ores, and chemical manufacturing. Hydrogen cyanide gas released by sodium cyanide has a distinctive bitter almond odor (others describe a musty “old sneakers smell”).
The CDC guidance on how the emergency workers should respond to a leak of the chemical helps explain why Beijing sent a 217-strong team of “Nuclear, Biological and Chemical specialist to the scene (see earlier).The CDC guidance on how the emergency workers should respond to a leak of the chemical helps explain why Beijing sent a 217-strong team of “Nuclear, Biological and Chemical specialist to the scene (see earlier).
Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant or when entering an area where the concentration of the contaminant is unknown. Level A protection should be used until monitoring results confirm the contaminant and the concentration of the contaminant.Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant or when entering an area where the concentration of the contaminant is unknown. Level A protection should be used until monitoring results confirm the contaminant and the concentration of the contaminant.
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CNN has retracted a claim that its correspondent was ordered to stop reporting outside a hospital in Tianjin by the authorities.CNN has retracted a claim that its correspondent was ordered to stop reporting outside a hospital in Tianjin by the authorities.
Correction: CNN Correspondent interrupted in a live report by upset friends and relatives of victims killed and injured in the China blasts.Correction: CNN Correspondent interrupted in a live report by upset friends and relatives of victims killed and injured in the China blasts.
A live broadcast of the incident showed reporter Will Ripley being forced to stop recording. A first CNN suggested Ripley was forced to stop broadcasting by officials before clarifying that it was friends and relatives of the victims that urged him to halt recording.A live broadcast of the incident showed reporter Will Ripley being forced to stop recording. A first CNN suggested Ripley was forced to stop broadcasting by officials before clarifying that it was friends and relatives of the victims that urged him to halt recording.
China’s state news agency Xinhua criticised CNN for “inaccurate” and insensitive reporting.China’s state news agency Xinhua criticised CNN for “inaccurate” and insensitive reporting.
In an opinion piece it said:In an opinion piece it said:
It is understandable that the next of kin of the victims, who tended not to believe the fact of losing their beloved ones, became emotional when seeing reporters covering the tragedy.It is understandable that the next of kin of the victims, who tended not to believe the fact of losing their beloved ones, became emotional when seeing reporters covering the tragedy.
However, how could the anchor easily conclude that it was Chinese “security and officials” who stopped Repley from reporting? How could he easily misinterpret the blocking of reporting as a usual case in China? The reason is inseparable from CNN’s deep-rooted prejudice against China.However, how could the anchor easily conclude that it was Chinese “security and officials” who stopped Repley from reporting? How could he easily misinterpret the blocking of reporting as a usual case in China? The reason is inseparable from CNN’s deep-rooted prejudice against China.
It needs to point out that this is not the first time that CNN has made prejudiced reporting on China. From the March 14 Tibet riots in 2008 to the Kunming terror attacks in March 2014, the CNN has had an array of records of inaccurately reporting these incidents.It needs to point out that this is not the first time that CNN has made prejudiced reporting on China. From the March 14 Tibet riots in 2008 to the Kunming terror attacks in March 2014, the CNN has had an array of records of inaccurately reporting these incidents.
12.36pm BST12.36pm BST
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The blasts prompted alarm at China’s National Earthquake Network, the BBC reports.The blasts prompted alarm at China’s National Earthquake Network, the BBC reports.
#Tianjin's enormous blasts "alarmed" China's National Earthquake Network http://t.co/5xK1Rdv6CT pic.twitter.com/0fIkVeJeg7#Tianjin's enormous blasts "alarmed" China's National Earthquake Network http://t.co/5xK1Rdv6CT pic.twitter.com/0fIkVeJeg7
12.29pm BST
12:29
Death toll rises to 50
Tom Phillips
As of 6pm on Thursday authorities say 50 deaths have been confirmed from yesterday’s blasts, writes Tom Phillips.
More than 700 people have been admitted to hospital with injuries and 71 of those people have “severe” injuries.
The revised figures were quoted by Tianjin Daily, a local newspaper.
The figures were later confirmed by the official Xinhua agency.
Latest: Death toll rises to 50 in #Tianjin blast, 71 remain in critical condition pic.twitter.com/9vaDamLMQL
Updated
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A team of more than 200 military toxic waste specialists have arrived in Tianjin to start tackling the clear up, according to Xinhua.
217-strong Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Specialist team arrives in #Tianjin blast spot, to detect, cleanse toxics pic.twitter.com/D32TzxCt8f
Tom Philips has more on the operation.
Related: China explosions: troops dispatched to assist with cleanup
11.53am BST
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Blasts visible from space
The Tianjin blasts were visible from space according to images released by the Japan Meteorological Agency. They show a growing white dot over Tianjin in the centre of the photographs.
Updated
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Beijing has played down reports that toxic pollutants are blowing towards the Chinese capital from the scene of the blast, according to state run China Daily.
Samples collected at 5:30 am on Thursday showed that the concentration of toluene, widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent, has reached 3.7 milligrams per cubic meter in the air, higher than the national standard of 2.4 milligrams per cubic meter, the report said.
Besides, the concentration of volatile organic compounds and major air pollutants, were 5.7 milligrams per cubic meter, also exceeding the Tianjin municipal standards (2.0 milligrams per cubic meter).
But other major air pollutants under regular supervision like sulfur dioxide, carbon oxide, and PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter did not see a rise in concentrations as of 11 am).
In neighbouring Beijing 150 km away, local authorities denied the rumors that the blast influenced air quality in the capital.
The capital is currently seeing wind from the southwest and west, and Tianjin is located in the southeastern direction so the pollutants from the blast will go to the Bohai sea, thus having no influence on the capital, the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said.
Besides, the monitoring stations located in the southeastern region, in the direction of Tianjin have not detected any abnormal situation in the air quality or sudden rise of air pollutants on Thursday morning after the blast.
All the major air pollutants indexes are at normal levels, according to the official statement released on the bureau’s official microblog account.
The state run news agency Xinhua said rescuers reported high levels of toxins 500m from the blast.
Rescuers detected high levels of SO2, CO, NOx pollutants about 500m away from deadly chemical blast spot in #Tianjin pic.twitter.com/Ezg1me38Aw
Updated
at 11.39am BST
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Related: Tianjin port explosion aftermath – in pictures
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The massive force of the shockwave from the blast hurled Hua Hongwei a few metres, and then pinned him to the ground, he told Reuters.
The factory worker in his 20s, speaking from a hospital bed, recounts how he was lucky to survive the series of explosions that rocked his dormitory, situated about 1 km from the industrial area.
A few moments earlier, he had stepped out onto his balcony to check the scene after the first blast. He then returned inside just as the massive second explosion sent a fireball over the city - a seismic event so big it was seen by satellites in space.
“I didn’t understand what was happening,” Hua said, recounting how he flew through the room and then was crushed to the floor.
The worker from the car plant stumbled out of the building where a friend found him and gave him some water. He was put in a taxi to the hospital.
Hua, his head bandaged, was one of dozens of victims being treated at Tianjin’s TEDA Hospital, about a 15-minute drive from the blast site.
11.11am BST
11:11
Thousands left homeless
Tom Phillips
Thousands of people have been left homeless by the blasts officials have revealed, writes Tom Phillips.
Zhang Yong, an official in Binhai - the area where the explosions happened - said the Communist party was mobilising all possible resources in response to the disaster.
Speaking at a press conference in Tianjin, he said 3,000 people had been put up in government-run shelters after being forced from their homes on Wednesday.
“Tonight there will be 6,000 people in those shelters,” he said. Ten schools have opened their doors to the homeless, Zhang added.
10.52am BST
10:52
Tom Phillips
Armed troops and elite military units trained to handle nuclear, biological and chemical disasters are being dispatched to the scene, writes Tom Phillips in Beijing.
At least 44 deaths and 521 injuries have so far been confirmed after a fire at warehouse containing “dangerous chemicals” sparked a series of blasts on Wednesday night.
By Thursday afternoon at least 1,000 firefighters were attempting to bring the flames under control around the main disaster zone, a portside industrial estate where the blasts took place the night before.
Around 10,000 medical staff were working at 10 different hospitals to treat survivors, Zhang Yong, a local Communist party official, told a press conference. “We will bring things back on track as soon as possible,” he said.
Four vehicles carrying 214 soldiers trained to deal with nuclear, biological and chemical catastrophes were also dispatched to Tianjin, which is around 160km from Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
During a visit to the scene China’s Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun said “every possible measure would be taken to prevent further loss of life or injury”.
“Deep lessons must be learned,” Guo said, stressing the “absolute necessity” to prevent secondary accidents.
Official Chinese reports have blamed the blasts – so powerful they threw vehicles into the air and brought factory roofs crashing down – on hazardous chemicals stored in a warehouse owned by a company called Ruihai International Logistics.
In a statement Greenpeace warned: “We are concerned that certain chemicals will continue to pose a risk to the residents of Tianjin.”
It added: “According to the Tianjin Tanggu Environmental Monitoring Station, hazardous chemicals stored by the company concerned include sodium cyanide (NaCN), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and calcium carbide (CaC2), all of which pose direct threats to human health on contact. NaCN in particular is highly toxic. Ca(C2) and TDI react violently with water and reactive chemicals, with risk of explosion. This will present a challenge for firefighting and, with rain forecast for tomorrow, is a major hazard.”
Cheng Qian, Greenpeace’s toxics assistant campaign manager in Beijing, said: “It is now critical that relevant authorities monitor the situation closely and release further information on what caused the blast and what chemicals are being released into the air. This will have an impact on measures to fight fires, to protect the residents of Tianjin, and on minimizing the potential health and environmental hazards of the blast.”
In an editorial, the Global Times, a Beijing-controlled tabloid, urged authorities to be transparent about the situation on the ground in Tianjin.
“The Tianjin government must take critical feedback and ensure it can release accurate and timely information. The idea that they wanted to tone down the reporting and even cover it up must be eliminated,” it said.
However, China’s stability-obsessed leaders often attempt to stifle potentially critical media coverage during disasters. As the rescue operation ramped up on Thursday there were reports of foreign journalists being harassed and obstructed by Chinese officials.
An online national database of company ownership appeared to have been disabled on Thursday afternoon making it impossible to identify the owners of the logistics firm where the explosions took place.
A notice posted on the official website of the Tianjin Market and Quality Supervision Administration said: “Due to the blast accident, the Tianjin company credibility information system has been temporarily disabled.”
The Global Times recognised there had been public criticism of what some had described as a sluggish government response to the explosions. “For example, Tianjin TV was still broadcasting Korean soap operas ten hours after the incident,” it said.
However, the newspaper defended the authorities’ overall response. “Such chaos is unavoidable at the beginning of a sudden crisis.
Related: China explosions: troops dispatched to assist with cleanup
Updated
at 11.23am BST
10.44am BST
10:44
Our colleague Luna Lin in Beijing has been talking to a woman who lives very close to the blast site and gave her name as Ms Huo. She gives this vivid account of the panic following last night’s disaster as survivors rushed from their homes dressed only in their underwear.
I was about to go to bed and then suddenly I heard a big noise outside. All the windows were shattered and I saw a huge bright fireball flying towards the building opposite ours.
The whole building was shaking and we didn’t know what it was. The shockwave quickly pushed me to the floor and my husband came and helped me up. We wanted to walk toward the master bedroom but the second explosion happened. So we rushed outside. We live on the 20th floor and the fire exits and the emergency staircase were full of people.
As we were rushing down stairs in the darkness, we heard some people banging their doors – they were locked inside and their doors were damaged so they couldn’t get out.
When we finally reached to the ground floor, many people were already there. Many of them came down in a rush and didn’t have time to put on more clothes. Some were in their underwear. The car windows were all shattered and the roofs of the cars were damaged.
We got in our car and drove to a nearby hospital. On the road, we picked up a women with her young child who was covered in blood and a man who was also injured.
There were many cars on the road and people got stuck on their way to hospital.”“When we reached the nearby hospital, we were told it’s full and had to go to a second hospital.
I feel very lucky to still be alive. This is the first time I have felt so close to death. I never thought that something so horrible could happen in real life - and to me. I used to think that this kind of thing only happened in the movies.”
Updated
at 11.18am BST
10.37am BST
10:37
A Guardian reader in Tianjin says he witnessed the blast. Writing on the comments section of this blog under the name BooTheDog he describes seeing a “massive glow in the sky” and likened the sound of the blast to “someone trying really hard to force my door open”.
I was at a friends house at about 11pm - sitting outside. Saw a massive glow in the sky but no sound of an explosion. I left to go home shortly afterwards and had been in my own apartment for about 10 minutes (so roughly 11:30ish) it sounded as if someone was trying really hard to force my door open, it was rattling in the frame. I went to see who it was but there was no-one there. Just after going back in I heard the huge bang and ran outside to see the fireball and massive cloud of smoke. Just awful......