Massive explosions kill 17, injures 100s in northern China
A series of explosions have rocked the northern Chinese metropolis of Tianjin, killing 17 people and injuring hundreds more.
The blasts ripped through a warehouse containing a shipment of explosives, located in the industrial area of the port city, at about 23:30 local time (16:30 GMT) on Wednesday. Its huge shockwave could be felt several kilometers away.
According to reports, an initial blast set off a chain of explosions in nearby industrial sites.
At least 400 people have sustained injuries in the incident.
Hospitals are overwhelmed with the wounded. Thirty-two of the injured people are reported to be in critical condition.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged “all-out efforts to rescue victims and extinguish the fire."
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the magnitude of the first explosion was the equivalent of detonating three tons of TNT, whereas the second, the colossal one, which occurred seconds later, was the equivalent of 21 tons of the explosive.
The Xinhua news agency said that the fire ignited by the explosions was “under control” but two firefighters were missing. It added that the blast was of such magnitude that residents fleeing their homes “feared an earthquake”.
According to eyewitnesses, the blasts were followed by a huge mushroom cloud lighting up the night sky.
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The cause of the explosions is still unknown.
Several images and footage of the explosions have flooded the social media.
Tianjin is a major port city southeast of the Chinese capital city of Beijing with a population of more than 7.5 million people.
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