Warehouse storing “dangerous and chemical goods,” said to have exploded in China’s northern city of Tianjin, leaving at least 44 people dead and more than 500 injured. Twelve firefighters were reported among the dead.
The first explosion is an industrial accident said to have happened at about 23:30 (15:30 GMT) on Wednesday. This explosion was followed by another, more powerful blast, seconds later. Shockwaves were felt several kilometres away.
The China Earthquake Networks Centre said the magnitude of the first explosion was the equivalent of detonating three tons of TNT while the second was the equivalent of 21 tonnes of the explosive.
Since it’s a massive disaster, authorities are finding it tough to give an account of the numbers of dead and injured.
Tianjin, home to some 15 million people, is a major port and industrial area to the south-east of the Chinese capital, Beijing.
