17 dead in Chinas industrial area twin explosions

Hospitals in China’s Tianjin rushed to provide medical aid to injured people early on Thursday after two massive explosions ripped through the city, killing at least 17.

Around 400 people were injured in two massive explosions caused by flammable goods which ripped through an industrial area at around 11:30 p.m. (1730 GMT) on Wednesday, China’s state broadcaster reported.

Footage aired by CCTV showed the injured being wheeled into hopsital emergency wards for treatment.

Citing the hospital, state news agency Xinhua said many had sustained injuries caused by broken glass and stones and that some were seriously hurt.

CCTV said on its website there had been two explosions within 30 seconds of each other and that about 100 fire trucks had been sent to the scene. Xinhua said fireballs from an initial blast had ignited further explosions in premises nearby.