Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
China
At least 13 dead, hundreds injured as massive explosion rocks Chinese city
One hospital worker told the Beijing News that there were “too many new patients to count”.
Updated: 11.14 pm
A MASSIVE EXPLOSION has shaken the the Chinese port city of Tianjin, killing at least 13 people and hospitalising hundreds more.
Several videos of the incident posted online appear to show a large fire resulting in an explosion that rocked buildings across several kilometres.
The explosion happened this evening at about 11.30 pm according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The Associated Press is reporting that at least 13 people have been confirmed dead by officials, and that another 248 have been brought to hospital with their injuries.
One video shared online shows a man being overwhelmed by the blast in the atrium of a building.
The man’s fate is not yet known.
At least 300 people have been injured in the explosion according to a Chinese newspaper.
The Beijing News reports that between 300 and 400 injured people had arrived at one hospital, while citing a worker at another who told the publication there were too many new patients to count.
Xinhua says that the blast may have been caused by “inflammables and explosives at a container terminal”.
Additional reporting Cianan Brennan and AFP
Originally published: 7.05 pm
have your say