The extraordinary destructive force unleashed by twin explosions in China's Tianjin came to light on Thursday as the city counted its dead and took stock of the scale of the damage.
The blasts at a warehouse storing hazardous chemicals on Wednesday night killed at least 50 people and wounded over 700, sending shockwaves that were felt for miles. The powerful explosions brought down buildings and ignited several blazes in the area, which continued to burn Thursday.
Uncertainty lingered about whether it was safe to stay in the city, which has a population of 15 million people. Chinese authorities have yet to publicly determine the cause of the blast and the chemicals involved, although state media said managers of the logistics company that owns the warehouse have been detained. Officials told the BBC they are monitoring the toxicity of the smoke while they let the fires burn out.
Wang Yupeng, who felt the explosions from his home 15 kilometers away, insisted Thursday on keeping a face mask on when outdoors. “There’s still smoke in the sky,” Wang told The WorldPost. “You never know.”
Brand new cars parked in Tianjin port that were badly damaged by the explosions, Aug. 13, 2015.
Rescuers are seen at the site of the massive explosions in Tianjin on Aug. 13, 2015.
A damaged police car is seen at the site of the massive explosions in Tianjin on Aug. 13, 2015.
Construction workers walk near the site of massive explosions in Tianjin, Aug. 13, 2015.
Evacuees stay at a primary school in Tianjin on Aug.13, 2015.
Smoke is seen out of the broken window of an apartment near the site of the explosions in Tianjin on Aug. 13, 2015.
Cars are burnt out after the explosions at a warehouse in Binhai New Area in Tianjin, on Aug. 13, 2015.
People stay at a primary school after the emergency evacuation on Tianjin on Aug. 13, 2015.
A woman receives treatment at Teda Hospital following the explosions in Tianjin on Aug. 13, 2015.
Burnt car debris continues to smolder following the explosions at a warehouse in Tianjin on Aug. 13, 2015.
Workers wait in the back of a truck as police block access near the site of a series of explosions in Tianjin, on Aug. 13, 2015.
Two men walk past damaged containers at the site of an explosion in Tianjin, on Aug. 13, 2015.
More on the Tianjin blasts:
- Shocking Drone Footage Shows Aftermath Of Tianjin Explosion
- Huge Explosion Hits City Of Tianjin In China
- Volunteers Flock To Chinese Port City After Chemical Blast
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