Shocking aftermath of blasts in busy Chinese port of Tianjin (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

The aftermath of two blasts that rocked China’s port city of Tianjin looks like a scene from a movie about a zombie apocalypse, nuclear war or even alien attack. Photos captured rows of burned-out cars, totally destroyed properties and injured people.

A firefighter reacts as he receives treatment at a hospital after the explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin, China, August 13, 2015. © China Daily © Reuters

At least 44 people have been killed and up to 520 injured, 60 of them seriously, after two explosions took place in the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin late Wednesday, state media reported.

READ MORE: 44 dead, over 500 injured, after blast rocks busy Chinese port (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

Smoke rises from shipping containers after explosions at Binhai new district in Tianjin, China, August 13, 2015. © Stringer © Reuters

The explosions were caused by a shipment of explosives in a key industrial zone in Binhai New Area.

READ MORE: Apocalyptic scenes after Chinese port blast captured on film by drone (VIDEO)

Smoke rise from container boxes near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district, Tianjin, August 13, 2015. © Jason Lee © Reuters

Videos posted on social media showed huge fireballs shooting into the night sky in the city.

“The fireball was huge, maybe as much as 100 meters tall,” Huang Shiting, who lives close to the site, told AFP. “I heard the first explosion and everyone went outside, then there was a series of more explosions, windows shattered and a lot of people who were inside were hurt and came running out, bleeding.”

About 1,000 firefighters and more than 140 fire engines were involved to battle the huge blaze.

Firefighters work at a parking lot at the site of explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin August 13, 2015. © Stringer © Reuters

The blast wave shattered windows in nearby offices and apartment blocks, and the impact was felt up to 10km away.

"I was sleeping when our windows and doors suddenly shook as we heard explosions outside. I first thought it was an earthquake," Guan Xiang, who lives 7km away from the blast site, told Reuters.

Damaged vehicles are seen as smoke rises from the debris after the explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin, China, August 13, 2015. © Stringer © Reuters

State media reported that thousands of cars were burned in the blaze, including more than 2,700 Volkswagens, 1,500 Renaults and 4,000 Hyundai and KIA vehicles.

Damaged cars are seen near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district, Tianjin, August 13, 2015. © Jason Lee © Reuters

Many of the injuries sustained are from broken glass or stones, Lu Yun, head of the nearby Taida Hospital, said.

A volunteer touches an injured man at a primary school, which has been turned into a shelter for people living nearby, near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district, Tianjin, August 13, 2015. © Jason Lee © Reuters

A man rests on a table at a dining hall of a primary school, which has been turned into a shelter for people living nearby, near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district, Tianjin, August 13, 2015. © Jason Lee © Reuters

The first of the explosions was equivalent to 3 tons of TNT, and the second equivalent to 21 tons, according to the National Earthquake Bureau.

Firefighters work at the site as smoke and fire rise from the debris after the explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin, China, August 13, 2015. © China Daily © Reuters

Sources told Reuters that the explosions have disrupted oil and chemical tanker arrivals and departures.

Specialized chemical defense troops, which are able to get access to hazardous materials, were dispatched to the scene, media reports say.

Rescuers are seen in a van near the site of the blasts at Binhai new district in Tianjin municipality, China, August 13, 2015. © Stringer © Reuters