Death toll from China explosions rises

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has arrived in China's north-eastern city of Tianjin, where the death toll from a blast has risen to more than 112 people.

Death toll from China explosions risesDeath toll from China explosions rises

Death toll from China explosions rises

Ninety-five people, most of them firefighters, are still missing four days after multiple blasts in the north-eastern port city.

 

The explosions, in a warehouse containing hazardous chemicals, were so powerful that only a few of the recovered bodies have been identified.

 

Shock has turned to anger in Tianjin (tyan-jin) where families members of firefighters missing after a massive chemical blast are demanding answers.

 

These women say they want to know why their loved ones never returned home.

 

"Officials have said nothing, we know nothing, we've been told nothing, we are now coming here to ask for an explanation, we have no idea how it is going..."

 

"Why are you not releasing their names, their photographs? They're already gone. Do you understand? They're already gone."

 

Greenpeace say tests around the blast site show water supplies have not been severely contaminated with cyanide, but the results do not disprove the presence of other hazardous chemicals in the water.

 

Greenpeace has been urging the government to establish a five-kilometre safety zone around the site.

 

This resident told Al Jazeera he's worried about the long-term effects the explosion may have.

 

"Right now we definitely don't feel good because you must know that environmental pollution doesn't just go away in one or two years, so it's dangerous for the next generation."

 

Officials are calling for calm.

 

Chief of staff of the People's liberation Beijing Military Region, Shi Luze, says while toxins are present, they pose no risk to people outside the evacuation zone.

 

"Right now, within the range of under several hundred metres, other than ammonia, which has surpassed readings of one milligram, the others all come within standard readings. If you are outside of the two kilometres (radius), these numbers should be within the normal standards. This should not have any effect on people's lives."

 

Meanwhile, dozens of websites have been shut down for allegedly spreading rumours.

 

The state news agency Xinhua reported as many as 50 sites were accused of creating panic by publishing unverified information about the blasts.

 

Hundreds of social media accounts have also been blocked since last week's explosions.

 

More than 6,000 people have been displaced by the blasts, which caused shockwaves, felt many kilometres away.

 

Fire crews have been criticised for using water to douse flames, which may have made the blasts worse.

 

President Xi Jinping has urged authorities to improve safety, saying they must learn the lessons paid for with blood.

 

 


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