China''s Tianjin city hit by explosion again, no casualties

Beijing, October 13

An explosion rocked a warehouse in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, two months after the massive twin blasts thrilled the city killing more than 100 people and injuring hundreds.

The explosion occurred late last night at a warehouse storing alcohol at Xiditou township of Beichen district and triggered a fire, according to state-run Xinhua.

No casualties were reported in the blast last night and the fire is under control now, it said in a brief report.

The explosion took place exactly two months after the twin blasts which were stated to be worst industrial disaster in China's modern history in which 173 people were killed.

Yesterday's blast took place even though Tianjin authorities have initiated a number of safety measures to avert such explosions.

The twin blasts also disastrous for the country's fire fighting unit as 104 firemen were killed besides 11 police officers and 55 civilians. Over 700 people were injured many of them are still undergoing treatment in hospitals. 

The blasts ripped through a warehouse on August 12 in Tianjin Port, where large amounts of toxic chemicals were stored, including around 700 tonnes of sodium cyanide.               

It started with fire in the container terminal prompting a large force of fire fighters rushing to the scene only to be blown off by the blasts, which also destroyed several residential building in the neighbourhood besides about 10,000 imported cars of various companies lined up for delivery. —PTI