At least 7 dead following massive explosion in China
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CNN
Beijing (CNN)[Breaking news, posted at 4:20 p.m. ET]
Seven people have died after a massive explosion rocked the Chinese city of Tianjin late Wednesday, the People’s Daily reported.
[Original story, posted at 3:27 p.m. ET]
A massive explosion shook the northern Chinese city of Tianjin late Wednesday, startling residents and injuring more than 50 people, according to state media.
The cause was not immediately clear. It was also not known whether anyone had been killed.
The explosion erupted at a container port where flammable material was being stored, reported CCTV, China’s state-owned broadcaster.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported the explosion tore through a warehouse storing “dangerous goods” in the Binhai New Area. A hospital had received more than 50 patients. The injuries were mostly caused by stones or broken glass, Xinhua reported. Some are serious.
The initial blast triggered secondary explosions, causing local tremors, according to Xinhua. Residents said the blast shattered windows and fish tanks.
The firefighting division of the Chinese Public Security Ministry reported that firefighters were first called to the scene about a fire. The explosion happened after they arrived and damaged buildings and infrastructure. Four firefighters were injured and two more have lost contact, the ministry said.
Steven Jiang reported from Beijing. Dana Ford reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN’s Kevin Wang and Don Melvin contributed to this report.