Shocking aftermath of blasts in busy Chinese port of Tianjin (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
13 Aug, 2015 09:47 / Updated 9 years ago
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.