17 killed, hundreds injured in China blast

In other footage posted online screams can be heard after several explosions tear through the city.

Flames rise from the site of the explosions. Beijing News said there was some unidentified yellow foam on the ground at the site, although it was not clear if this was contamination or part of the firefighting efforts.

Industrial accidents are not uncommon in China following three decades of breakneck economic growth.

In July this year, 15 people were killed and more than a dozen injured when an illegal fireworks warehouse exploded in northern Hebei province.

The injured were taken to different hospitals in the city, with many reported to be suffering from cuts caused by broken glass.

The explosions occurred at a warehouse in an industrial area of the northeastern city, where toxic chemicals and gas were stored.

The Fire Department of China’sMinistry of Public Security said on its verified microblog that the warehouse was being used by Ruihai worldwide Logistics Co., a company that handles hazardous materials.

About 100 fire trucks were reportedly sent to the scene, but several of them had been destroyed.

Xi said in a statement carried by official media that those responsible should be “severely handled”.

People gathered outside one hospital not far from an area of badly damaged buildings, waiting for news of loved ones.

Senior factory executives are said to be being questioned by police.

Firefighters rest from their rescue work after the explosions.

Xinhua said an initial explosion triggered other blasts. Shockwaves hit the building seconds later. A large swath of the area is charred and burnt to the ground and pictures speak of the devastation.

The death toll from the explosion in Tianjin port on 12 August has increased to at least 42, with more than 400 injured, according to the local government and state media.

Vafa Anderson, who lives in Tianjin with this wife, said the force of the explosion resembled a nuclear blast in its ferocity.

It identified the owner of the warehouse as Tianjin Dongjiang Port Ruihai worldwide Logistics. It has 70 employees and 20 contract workers, with annual handling capacity of one million tons and revenue of 30 million yuan, the website said.