At least 44 people died and hundreds were injured Wednesday night after two huge explosions ripped through the industrial area of China’s Port of Tianjin where dangerous chemicals and goods are stored, according to local media.
12 firefighters have lost their lives trying to contain the flames, and around 520 people have been hospitalized thus far, including 66 critically injured.
The initial blast reportedly erupted at a warehouse owned by Tianjin Dongjiang Port Rui Hai International Logistics, a storage and distribution center of dangerous goods in the Port of Tianjin. The center includes two warehouses, one of them being located next to an office block.
Four fires are still burning at the site, and significant areas of the port, the tenth largest in the world, have been destroyed by the explosions and the subsequent fires.
The office buildings and warehouses of several shipping companies, including China Offshore Oil Engineering, Cosco Shipping, Sinotrans have been damaged by the explosions and the fire.
The blasts reportedly spread to the port’s vehicle storage area, where around 6,000 new cars have been destroyed.
China’s President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have urged ”all out” efforts to contain the number of casualties and injured.
Tianjin Port Development Holdings Limited suspended trading in the shares of the company on the Hong Kong stock exchange pending the release of an inside information announcement in relation to the explosion.
Lack of safety and proper regulation/oversight will eventually take its toll in human lives, environmental pollution and property damage. This is unfortunately the case here.