Tianjin, China — (Scroll down for videos) — UPDATE: The explosion in Tianjin erupted at a container port where flammable material was being stored in containers, reported CCTV, China’s state-owned broadcaster.
The huge explosion occurred about 90 miles southeast of Beijing.
From CCTV: The National Business Daily newspaper also reported that two firefighters battling the blaze are missing and six are slightly wounded. Six fire brigades are on the scene and the fire is nearly out. The newspaper also reported that 300-400 people are wounded. CCTV News has also reported that the fire will take more than two hours to be completely extinguished.
Chinese social media has been flooded with photos of the aftermath. The fire ball lit up the sky and massive shockwaves caused significant damage in immediate surrounding areas.
It’s unclear what caused the blast. At least 13 people are dead.
#Tianjin hotel owners reportedly letting residents stay the night free of charge & offering supplies to the wounded. pic.twitter.com/J6cUaYV8uy
— TFC (@TibetanFeminist) August 12, 2015
One report stated it started at a storage facility for ‘volatile materials,’ this in not confirmed. From KDML: A reporter from CCTV America in the area reported seeing “2 to 3 explosions” then “something related to gas or oil” before the phone went dead. No word of any casualties, but there are reports of bodies seen on the ground near the explosion site. Michael Dolan, Digital Strategist at The Economist, reported on social media that this may be at a chemical factory.
tianjin explosion pic.twitter.com/FK5xjCz2Xk — William Locke (@thelastnext) August 12, 2015
apartments close to the explosion spot in Tianjin Binhai New Area pic.twitter.com/ZHpeduPeax — William Locke (@thelastnext) August 12, 2015
Chinese photo agency releases 11 pics of #Tianjin residents evacuated on street. Strange- no agency pics of fireball. pic.twitter.com/IUP49ZKxQf — Matt Simon (@MSimonTV) August 12, 2015
Photos: SinaWeibo
