Huge Explosion at Tianjin Shipping Yard, Multiple Dead and Hundreds Injured

[Updated 8/13 2.10pm] The Xinhua News Agency has confirmed 44 dead and more than 500 being treated in hospitals, according to CNN.

Below is drone footage of the blast site:

[Updated 8/13 1pm] The number of firefighters killed has risen from 10 to 11, according to China Daily. Also, according to Xinhua, authorities have shut down China's fastest supercomputer, Tianhe-A1 after damage was reported to the building following the blast.

[Updated 8/13 12.20pm] Monica Andrews, a Canadian who teaches Social Studies at Maple Leaf International School on 3rd Avenue in Tianjin, has told the Beijinger that another smaller explosion occurred shortly before noon, adding to the smoke billowing from the site.

Two huge explosions rocked Tianjin at around 11.30pm last night. So far the official death count stands at 17, including six firefighters. Over 400 people are reported injured, overwhelming local hospitals.

It is believed that the explosions occurred in a shipping container yard, storing what State Media described as "dangerous and chemical goods" in the Binhai New Area port section of the city.

Shipping container area pictured before the explosion
 

And after

The explosions sent a huge fireball into the sky and shook houses throughout the city, causing major panic and belief that an earthquake had struck.

Xinhua has said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are calling for all-out efforts to save the injured and minimize casualties.

There's still no official word as to whether or how the blast will affect Beijing's air but we'd recommend keeping windows and doors closed when possible.

We will update this story as news comes in.

More stories by this author here.

Email: tomarnstein@thebeijinger.com
WeChat: tenglish_
Instagram: @tenglish__

Photos: bbc.co.uk, weibo.com, imgur.com, twimg.com