Military sends chemical specialists to blast site

The fire brigade stand ready to evacuate local residents from a blast site in Tianjin, Aug 13, 2015. [Photo/IC]

The country's top health authority is providing a medical response. Medics specializing in blast injuries and burns have arrived from Beijing and are treating the wounded.

Hundreds of volunteers are rushing to hospitals for blood donation, and taxi drivers and private car owners offered help to transport the wounded to hospitals. Besides the 15 donation centers in Tianjin, donations from neighboring areas have been transferred to the city.

Specialized anti-chemical warfare troops have joined the operation. Special masks are worn by members of the rescue team as it has not yet been confirmed whether the dangerous chemicals contain highly toxic cyanide.

Tianjin Fire Department says the fire is contained but it will take a long time to fully extinguish it due to the complex composition of chemical elements. No more explosions are expected.

[On-site situation]

Photo taken on Aug 13, 2015 shows destroyed vehicles at a square of factory near the explosive site in Binhai New Area of Tianjin, North China. [Photo/Xinhua]

Thousands of new cars have been destroyed in a park 200 meters south of the explosion. The site is covered with heavy smoke and there is a pungent smell. People would feel uncomfortable within a minute if exposed to the air. Heavy black metal-like bricks have been found near the center of the explosion.

Firefighters are moving corpses to a mortuary at Taida Hospital. Everyone is equipped with a fire extinguisher to put out any naked light.