Huge Explosion in China Leaves 42 Killed, Hundreds Injured
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A powerful explosion at a "dangerous materials" warehouse jolted China's northeastern Tianjin on Wednesday night, leaving at least 42 people dead, including nine firefighters, and over 400 wounded.
The explosion ripped through a warehouse storing "dangerous goods" in north China's Tianjin City late Wednesday night, killing at least 42 people, injuring over 400.
The blast started at around 11:30pm Wednesday in the Binhai New Area. The fireballs erupted from it then ignited further explosions in companies nearby, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The shockwaves were felt kilometers away, with some residents claiming their window glass and fish tanks shattered. People in neighborhoods nearby said flames lit up the sky and the blasts with big noises blew up dust of dozens of meters high.
Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain flames, their efforts hampered by complex conditions at the site.
The Tianjin fire brigade said it has sent 1,000 firefighters and 143 fire engines to the warehouse. The volatility of the goods means the fire is especially unpredictable and dangerous to approach.
Xinhua reporters saw at least 200 armed police officers around the warehouse.
About 283 people have been treated in hospital, but those who suffered minor injuries have since left after treatment, according to the Tianjin municipal government.
Executives of Tianjin Dongjiang Port Rui Hai International Logistics Co. Ltd., owner of the warehouse, have been detained by police.
