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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.

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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]
By Al Jazeera and Agencies
Published On 13 Aug 2015

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. 

 

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A car is seen in the debris following the explosions at a warehouse in Binhai New Area in Tianjin, China. [ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images]
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Hundreds were injured in the blasts in Tianjin, China. [TPG/Getty Images]
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Fire and smoke are seen after explosions at a warehouse late on Wednesday in Binhai in Tianjin, China. [ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images]
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Soldiers rest under the bridge near the explosion site. [Damir Sagolj/Reuters]
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Damaged cars are seen near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district, Tianjin. [Jason Lee/Reuters]
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Homeless people are seen at a temporary shelter in the port city of Tianjin, China, August 13, 2015. [Wu Hong/EPA]
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]
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Firefighters prepare to search for survivors and put out fires after a huge explosion rocked the port city of Tianjin, China. [Wu Hong/EPA]