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| China explosion: Tianjin death toll rises in port blasts | China explosion: Tianjin death toll rises in port blasts |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 50 people are known to have died, and more than 700 injured, following two major explosions in China's northern port city of Tianjin. | |
| Twelve firefighters are among those who lost their lives; 36 are still missing. | Twelve firefighters are among those who lost their lives; 36 are still missing. |
| The blasts happened in a warehouse for hazardous chemicals and caused a huge fireball that could be seen from space. | The blasts happened in a warehouse for hazardous chemicals and caused a huge fireball that could be seen from space. |
| Hospitals have been overwhelmed with people seeking treatment for injuries caused by flying glass and debris. Some 71 people are in a serious condition. | |
| 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. |
| Blast cause still a mystery | Blast cause still a mystery |
| 'Seismic scale' of blasts | 'Seismic scale' of blasts |
| Travelling into the blast zone | Travelling into the blast zone |
| The first explosion occurred at about 23:30 local time (15:30 GMT) on Wednesday in the city'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 the city'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. |
| Buildings within a 2km radius (1.5 miles) had windows blown out, office blocks were destroyed and hundreds of cars burnt-out. | Buildings within a 2km radius (1.5 miles) had windows blown out, office blocks were destroyed and hundreds of cars burnt-out. |
| The impact of the blasts could be felt several kilometres away, and was registered as seismic activity at 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 registered as seismic activity at 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. | 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 devastation | Pictures reveal devastation |
| "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. | "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. |
| "When I escaped, I had blood all over me." | "When I escaped, I had blood all over me." |
| "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.'' | "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.'' |
| 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 reach 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. | |
| Around 1,000 firefighters, along with 140 fire engines, spent the night tackling the flames. | Around 1,000 firefighters, along with 140 fire engines, spent the night tackling the flames. |
| 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. | 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. |
| There was an outpouring of support for them on social media as it became apparent that they were among the dead, injured and missing. | There was an outpouring of support for them on social media as it became apparent that they were among the dead, injured and missing. |
| Hospitals struggled to cope as residents rushed there to be treated for injuries or for news of missing loved ones. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Tianjin, home to some 15 million people, is a major port and industrial area to the south-east of the Chinese capital, Beijing. |
| Tests are being undertaken to check pollution levels both in the air and water around Tianjin. Tanker traffic in and out of the port has been disrupted. | Tests are being undertaken to check pollution levels both in the air and water around Tianjin. 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. |
| Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak with a BBC journalist. | Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak with a BBC journalist. |
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