In Pictures

Deadly inferno: Chinese port city rocked by explosions

At least 44 people killed in blasts at a warehouse in Tianjin, one of the world’s busiest ports.

TIANJIN, CHINA BLAST — At least 44 people were killed and 400 injured when two huge explosions tore through an industrial area where toxic chemicals and gas were stored in the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin. [Jason Lee/Reuters]

Tianjin, China – Heavy explosions have hit China’s northern city of Tianjin, leaving at least 44 people dead and hundreds more injured.

Chinese state news said the blasts started late after a container of “hazardous material” exploded in a warehouse shortly before midnight local time on Wednesday night.

The blasts knocked doors off buildings in the area and shattered windows up to several kilometres away.

Hospitals are reported to be overwhelmed with casualties and thousands of people have become homeless and are sleeping in the open air.

china — A car is seen in the debris following the explosions at a warehouse in Binhai New Area in Tianjin, China. [ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images]

Death toll soars after huge blasts hit China''s Tianjin — General view of the destruction after explosions in the port area of Tianjin, northern China. [STR China/EPA]