TIANJIN, China — A series of huge explosions shook the northern Chinese city of Tianjin late Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and injuring hundreds more, according to officials and state media.
The cause was not immediately clear.
The explosion erupted at a warehouse for a logistics company at a port area, according to Tianjin police. The company was identified as Tianjin Dongjiang Port Rui Hai International Logistics Co. Ltd.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported the explosion tore through a warehouse storing “dangerous goods” in the Binhai New Area.
The initial blast triggered secondary explosions, setting off local tremors, according to Xinhua. Residents said the blast shattered windows and fish tanks.
The People’s Daily reported that 13 people had died, 11 were in critical condition and another 248 were hospitalized. Xinhua had reported earlier that most of the injuries were from stones or broken glass.
Firefighters were dispatched immediately, according to the Tianjin Public Security Bureau. According to preliminary analysis, the explosion was caused by a shipping container, the Bureau said.
A video uploaded to YouTube shows a massive fireball before several explosions.
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