LONDON - Huge explosions hit an industrial area in the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin late on Wednesday, triggering a blast wave felt kilometres (miles) away and injuring scores of people, Chinese media reported.
State broadcaster China Central Television reported that blasts had erupted in a shipment of explosives at around 11.30 p.m. local time. Video footage showed flames lighting up the night sky and state-run news agency Xinhua quoted residents in nearby districts as saying the blast had shattered windows.
The agency said the explosion had ripped through a warehouse storing “dangerous goods”. Citing a local hospital, Xinhua said more than 50 people had been wounded, mainly by broken glass and stones, and some were seriously hurt. Central Television said on its website no deaths had been reported. It said there had been two explosions within 30 seconds of each other and that about 100 fire trucks had been sent to the scene. Xinhua said fireballs from an initial blast had ignited further explosions in premises nearby. According to Chinese state media, the explosion occurred when a shipment of explosives blew up at about 23:30 (16:30 GMT).
Pictures and video shared on social media showed flames lighting up the sky and damage to nearby buildings. Latest reports in state media suggest that hundreds of people have been taken to hospital.
Xinhua news agency said a fire started by the explosion was “under control” but said two firefighters were missing. Shockwaves from the blast could apparently be felt several kilometres away from Tianjin. Ms Yang, an eyewitness, told local media she was out shopping when “suddenly from behind there was a big fireball and explosion”.
“At the time of the explosion the ground was shaking fiercely, nearby cars and buildings were shaking, a few buildings’ glass all broke and everyone started to run,” she said. “Now all the residents are gathered in the street.” China National Radio said cracks were visible in buildings near the site of the blast. Several tower blocks near the port area are without power, reported the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Tianjin is a major port and industrial area to the south-east of the Chinese capital, Beijing, and home to 7.5 million people.