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China explosions: Dozens killed in Tianjin port blasts China explosions: Dozens killed in Tianjin port blasts
(35 minutes later)
The massive explosions in China's northern city of Tianjin are now known to have killed at least 50 people.The massive explosions in China's northern city of Tianjin are now known to have killed at least 50 people.
More than 700 have been injured and hospitals are struggling to cope with the number of casualties.More than 700 have been injured and hospitals are struggling to cope with the number of casualties.
The blasts, at a warehouse storing toxic chemicals, destroyed tower blocks and burned out thousands of cars. The fireball could be seen from space.The blasts, at a warehouse storing toxic chemicals, destroyed tower blocks and burned out thousands of cars. The fireball could be seen from space.
Twelve firefighters are among those who lost their lives; 36 of their colleagues are still missing.Twelve firefighters are among those who lost their lives; 36 of their colleagues are still missing.
Tianjin is one of China's most important industrial centres, and one of the busiest ports in the world.
President Xi Jinping has promised a thorough investigation into what happened and "transparent information disclosure to the public," Xinhua news agency reports.President Xi Jinping has promised a thorough investigation into what happened and "transparent information disclosure to the public," Xinhua news agency reports.
The head of Tianjin's environmental protection bureau, Wen Wurui, said pollution levels were being monitored.
"It would be harmful if you breathe in [this toxic air] for a long time," he said.
"But at present, it has not exceeded [the standard] too much based on our monitoring."
What we know about explosionsWhat we know about explosions
Tianjin in profile
'Seismic scale' of blasts'Seismic scale' of blasts
Travelling into the blast zoneTravelling into the blast zone
The first explosion occurred at about 23:30 local time (15:30 GMT) on Wednesday in Tianjin's Binhai New Area, a vast industrial zone which houses car factories, aircraft assembly lines and other manufacturing and research firms.The first explosion occurred at about 23:30 local time (15:30 GMT) on Wednesday in Tianjin's Binhai New Area, a vast industrial zone which houses car factories, aircraft assembly lines and other manufacturing and research firms.
The blast was followed seconds later by another, more powerful blast, and a series of smaller explosions.The blast was followed seconds later by another, more powerful blast, and a series of smaller explosions.
Broken and buckled shipping containers litter the site and vast areas of the port have been devastated.
Buildings within a 2km radius (1.5 miles) had windows blown out and office blocks were destroyed.Buildings within a 2km radius (1.5 miles) had windows blown out and office blocks were destroyed.
The impact of the blasts could be felt several kilometres away, and was detected by a US Geological Survey monitoring unit in Beijing 160km (100 miles) away.The impact of the blasts could be felt several kilometres away, and was detected by a US Geological Survey monitoring unit in Beijing 160km (100 miles) away.
The China Earthquake Networks Centre said the magnitude of the first explosion was the equivalent of detonating three tonnes of TNT, while the second was the equivalent of 21 tonnes.
Blast 'like end of the world'Blast 'like end of the world'
Pictures reveal devastationPictures reveal devastation
Netizens' critical of blast coverage silencedNetizens' critical of blast coverage silenced
"I saw fire burning and then: Boom! There was an explosion. My first reaction was to run as fast as I could and get down on the ground to save my life," Wu Dejun, 38, a hairstylist, told Reuters. State media reported that firefighters arrived at the port at 23:06 local time (15:06 GMT) as containers were on fire; another batch of firefighters arrived at around 23:16, 14 minutes before the first explosion.
"When I escaped, I had blood all over me." Reports in Chinese media said the blasts happened after a shipment of explosives detonated in a warehouse owned by Ruihai Logistics, a company that specialises in handling dangerous and toxic chemicals.
"It was like what we were told a nuclear bomb would be like,'' truck driver Zhao Zhencheng told the AP news agency. "I've never even thought I'd see such a thing. It was terrifying, but also beautiful.'' State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said at least one person from the "relevant company" had been detained for questioning.
The warehouse was designed to store chemicals including sodium cyanide, butanone and toluene diisocyanate, as well as compressed natural gas and other flammable substances.
The head of Tianjin's environmental protection bureau, Wen Wurui, said pollution levels were being monitored.
"It would be harmful if you breathe in [this toxic air] for a long time," he said.
"But at present, it has not exceeded [the standard] too much based on our monitoring."
The BBC's John Sudworth, in Tianjin, said thick, acrid smoke can be seen still billowing from the site, and the burning taste hangs heavy in the air.
"I heard the first explosion and everyone went outside, then there was a series of more explosions, windows shattered and a lot of people who were inside were hurt and came running out, bleeding," 27-year-old Huang Shiting, who lives close to the site, told AFP.
Injured 10-year-old Mei Xiaoya told AFP that she and her mother were turned away from the first hospital they went to, seeking treatment, as it was full.
"I'm not afraid, it's just a scratch," she said, "but mum was hurt badly, she couldn't open her eyes."
The blast ripped apart a nearby dormitory for migrant workers, who were forced to flee the collapsing building.The blast ripped apart a nearby dormitory for migrant workers, who were forced to flee the collapsing building.
"I rolled off the bed after the first shockwave hit, so I scrambled to run for my life," said resident Dan Agio."I rolled off the bed after the first shockwave hit, so I scrambled to run for my life," said resident Dan Agio.
"When I reach downstairs the second blast happened. It's as if the sky collapsed. In a blink of an eye, the roof fell." "When I reached downstairs the second blast happened. It's as if the sky collapsed. In a blink of an eye, the roof fell."
The death toll has risen throughout the day and had reached 50 by 19:30 local time (11:30 GMT), state news agency Xinhua reports. The editor of the BBC's Chinese Service, Raymond Li, points out that almost 24 hours after the explosions the cause still is not known.
Around 1,000 firefighters, along with 140 fire engines, spent the night tackling the flames. Just a few days ago city officials visited the industrial site to discuss safety standards, he says.
A number were reportedly already on the scene at the time of the explosions, having been called out to earlier reports of a fire in the area.
Hospitals struggled to cope as residents rushed there to be treated for injuries or for news of missing loved ones.
Many without injuries responded for calls to donate blood, and long queues formed outside blood donation centres.
Chinese media has reported that the blasts happened after a shipment of explosives detonated in a warehouse owned by Ruihai Logistics, a company that specialises in handling dangerous and toxic chemicals.
State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said at least one person from the "relevant company" had been detained for questioning.
There has been some criticism in Chinese media that a warehouse containing such dangerous chemicals should have been sited near a main road, housing complexes and office blocks.
Tianjin, home to some 15 million people, is a major port and industrial area to the south-east of the Chinese capital, Beijing.
Tanker traffic in and out of the port has been disrupted.
Are you in Tianjin? Did you witness the explosion? You can share your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Tianjin? Did you witness the explosion? You can share your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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