China Seek Answers in Massive Explosion Pics, Video
Xinhua described the facility where the explosions occurred as a storage and distribution center that held containers of dangerous goods, including chemicals.
Executives from its owner, Tianjin Dongjiang Port Rui Hai International Logistics, were taken into custody by police, it said.
Wen Wurui, head of Tianjin’s environment protection bureau, told a televised briefing that “poisonous and harmful” chemicals had been detected in the air, but not at levels “excessively high above standards.’’
A team of 214 military specialists trained to handle nuclear and biochemical materials has arrived in Tianjin, where explosions are believed to have been caused by volatile chemicals on site.
The personnel, all from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Beijing Military Area Command, left Beijing at noon. They are led by Deputy General Chief of Staff Wang Zhengrong.
The military department has also organized 130 militiamen to assist with the rescue operation. Drones and helicopters will be used.
A total of 125 officers and soldiers on reserve duty from Tianjin Garrison Command are also at the site.
The PLA Beijing Military Area Command sent 45 medics to set up clinics 3 kilometers from the blast site earlier today.
Seventy-eight patients have so far been treated at the clinics and transferred to other hospitals.
The Tianjin government said late evening that the death toll has risen to 50. Twelve of the dead were firefighters from among the more than 1,000 sent to fight the blaze.
The municipal government said 701 people were injured, including 71 in serious condition. It gave no figure for the missing.
A first explosion occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the warehouse in the Binhai New Area. Only seconds later, a second blast wreaked more havoc, shooting fireballs into the sky, damaging nearby buildings and setting cars on fire.
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