Large Explosion Rips Through Industrial Area 44 Dead n Over 500 Injured

Two large explosions ripped through an industrial area in the Chinese city of Tianjin.

The authorities also said they have lost contact with 36 fire-fighters at the scene and 12 of them have been confirmed as among the dead. They were among more than 1,000 fire-fighters sent to fight the flames. At least 44 people are dead and hundreds injured.

Around 520 people have been admitted to hospital, more than 60 seriously injured, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The first explosion happened at around 11.30pm local time, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

According to Sky news, the explosion, believed to have involved a shipment of explosives, sent huge fireballs into the air and triggered a blast wave that could be felt miles away, CCTV said.

The second blast, which was much bigger than the first, happened about 30 seconds after the initial explosion.

The initial explosion also triggered other blasts at nearby buildings and many people were wounded by broken glass and stones, with some worried they were at the centre of a major earthquake or atomic bomb.

Hospitals were overwhelmed and the military had been brought in to help the recovery in the city of 15 million.

Police said the initial explosion happened at a warehouse owned by Ruihai Logistics and state media said senior management at the firm have been detained by authorities.

President Xi Jinping is demanding severe punishment for anyone found responsible for the explosions, although what caused them is still unclear.

Sky News