Toxic fumes detected in 500-meter radius from Tianjin blast area
Chemical warfare units deployed to the site of explosions in Chinese port of Tianjin have detected toxic fumes in dangerous concentrations up to half a kilometer from the blasts.
Sulfur oxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, all products of combustion, have been found in the air, Xinhua reported.
Rescuers detected high levels of SO2, CO, NOx pollutants about 500m away from deadly chemical blast spot in #Tianjinpic.twitter.com/Ezg1me38Aw
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) August 13, 2015Shocking aftermath of blasts in busy Chinese port of Tianjin (PHOTOS, VIDEO) http://t.co/P7VVawVd1bpic.twitter.com/81PcKxgmJh
— RT (@RT_com) August 13, 2015Plumes of white and yellow smoke, which may be an indicator of toxic hydrogen sulfide, were seen rising over the area.
The authorities ordered evacuation from the vicinity of the affected zone, with chemical warfare units monitoring the developing situation.
Blast-torn #Tianjin warehouse stored dozens of inflammable, explosive chemicals including some gunpowder constituents pic.twitter.com/w7UgVRXI1t
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) August 13, 2015The team includes 217 nuclear, biological and chemical specialists, according to Xinhua news agency. China also deployed 130 militiamen and 125 military officers and soldiers to assist with the rescue operation.
217-strong Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Specialist team arrives in #Tianjin blast spot, to detect, cleanse toxics pic.twitter.com/D32TzxCt8f
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) August 13, 2015Aerial footage: Tianjin blast’s devastating aftermath - thick smoke, raging fire (VIDEO) http://t.co/o2ZxhLbyKdpic.twitter.com/Y3xL94tgem
— RT (@RT_com) August 13, 2015The series of explosions at a warehouse in Tianjin has claimed at least 50 lives and injured over 700. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for, including over 30 firefighters.
It is estimated to be one of the worst man-made disasters in China in years.
