Tianjin explosion: ‘Seven killed, hundreds injured’ as multiple blasts rock

Multiple explosions in the port city of Tianjin, China, killed at least 17 people and left hundreds hospitalized, according to China’s People’s Daily.

An explosion reportedly rocked the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on late Wednesday, local time. It was not immediately clear whether the nine firefighters were among the 17 people already reported dead.

State-run China Xinhua News reported that six firefighters died in trying to control the fire.

The TV report said the fire still yet to be contained as firefighters cannot use water to put it out due to presence of chemicals and instead has to use sand and other materials to contain it. It said the explosion shattered windows and knocked off doors of buildings in the area.

The agency said the explosion had ripped through a warehouse storing “dangerous goods”.

Many eyewitness videos, apparently taken from nearby apartments overlooking the explosion, quickly circulated on Chinese social media, some capturing an enormous explosion which resembled a fireworks display.

A witness said she awakened startled and believing a blast was an natural disaster.

Hospital staff said most of those that arrived overnight had been discharged.

At the city’s TEDA hospital, close to the blast site, Zhang Hongjie, 50, sat with his head wrapped in bandages, his arms covered with small cuts from flying glass.

Canadian teacher Monica Andrews told the BBC that she awoke in panic after what she thought was an quake.

Tianjin is a major port south east of the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Tianjin is home to around 15 million people, making it one of the biggest cities in China.