China - Huge, huge mystery explosion in Tianjin, Northern China, 12 Aug 2015

[zwiebel]

There has been a huge, mystery explosion in Tianjin, Northern China. It's frightening. Here's 2 videos. Bringing news links over now.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a1aHADL2a24

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nQwRMGa4jsU

Media link:

http://www.azfamily.com/story/29771149/china-massive-explosion-seen-for-miles-around-tianjin

 

[zwiebel]

Initial reports veering from 50 to 100 rushed to hospital. I suspect there are many more and many dead. Early suggestions are this was some kind of chemical/oil explosion.

This photo was from around five miles away. This was a big explosion. And that glaring mushroom cloud is disturbing.

http://www.rt.com/news/312292-china-tianjin-massive-blast/

 

[gregjrichards]

It's a petrol storage facility according to the bbc.

"A massive explosion has hit China's northern Tianjin with scores of people injured, reports say.

The explosion reportedly occurred at about 23:30 (15:30 GMT) at a petrol storage station at Tianjin's Binhai New Development Zone. The cause is unknown.

Pictures and video footage shared on social media appear to show a number of people wounded by the blast."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-33896292

It was like an atomic bomb going off in the video on this link http://www.rt.com/news/312292-china-tianjin-massive-blast/

I expect many people injured and unfortunately fatalities.

 

[zwiebel]

This Norwegian man on twitter has by far the most information.

Gissur Simonarson (@GissiSim) tweeted at 8:07pm - 12 Aug 15:

Another menacing photo from the #Tianjin explosion in #China
pic.twitter.com/cpKKzvTWV3 (https://twitter.com/GissiSim/status/631527316661895169?s=17)

 

[Sporky]

That is indeed really scary.

 

[SCHMAE]

Thanks Zwie ! So scary.

 

[zwiebel]

This tweeter is linking to Chinese language tweets so I think the info is credible.

@GissiSim Tianjin Port Hospital sent 300-400 injured to Tianjin Central hospital. Emergency rooms overwhelmed with badly-burned patients. (https://twitter.com/Margaret3786/status/631527990245994496?s=17)

 

[zwiebel]

Thanks Zwie ! So scary.

I swear, when I saw those videos I didn't know if I should head to my cellar with supplies!

 

[tlcya]

oh my, thanks Zwiebel, for this thread. Was just coming to read about this. Knew someone would have the conversation started.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/massive-explosion-reported-in-chinese-city-of-tianjin

 

[Tulessa]

I swear, when I saw those videos I didn't know if I should head to my cellar with supplies!

We think alike then. Anything from China or Korea sends me scampering for supplies.

 

[zwiebel]

It was seen from space.

There are many casualties. I am seeing awful photos shared on social media.

Explosion in #Tianjin #China was so large it was actually seen from space
realearth.ssec.wisc.edu/s/A4ZDa
pic.twitter.com/8xL96XseLE (https://twitter.com/GissiSim/status/631525406068375552?s=17)

 

[bluesneakers]

It's interesting how in this video the sound and explosion seem to hit several seconds after the fact, like watching lightning during a thunderstorm. Except much more terrifying.

http://www.khou.com/story/news/loca...sion-reported-in-northeastern-china/31538677/

 

[SCHMAE]

This tweeter is linking to Chinese language tweets so I think the info is credible.

Four hundred people? lease:

 

[Sporky]

Yes beware of looking up tweets as some have photos of injured people. And I'm sure there are going to be lots more posted.

 

[zwiebel]

This video doesn't show the terrifying flash glare, but it shows the mushroom clouds perfectly.

It's not a media link, but I strongly suspect this is genuine footage. I got it from tweeter https://mobile.twitter.com/GissiSim/tweets Mainstream media are all asking to use his pics/videos, so I think they're sound.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ldomeMgLBao

 

[zwiebel]

The state-run news agency says 50 taken to hospital.

I'm not there so I'm not arguing, but Chinese State media has a reputation for being extraordinarily slow and cautious with any breaking news. As though they are waiting for approval?

Others at the scene are putting injured figures much higher.

http://ktla.com/2015/08/12/massive-explosion-rocks-northern-chinese-city-of-tianjin-video/

ETA: I see that link says the explosion was caused by a single shipping container?

 

[gngr~snap]

Images from Twitter... For those that don't have access.
Wow!

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[zwiebel]

The China People's Daily is contradicting state media, saying 300-400 hospitalized.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/...ajam&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=SocialFlow

Some videos and news articles uploaded in China are starting to disappear, I notice.

 

[gngr~snap]

The state-run news agency says 50 taken to hospital.

I'm not there so I'm not arguing, but Chinese State media has a reputation for being extraordinarily slow and cautious with any breaking news. As though they are waiting for approval?

Others at the scene are putting injured figures much higher.

http://ktla.com/2015/08/12/massive-explosion-rocks-northern-chinese-city-of-tianjin-video/

ETA: I see that link says the explosion was caused by a single shipping container?

Hmmmm ... Fox news FINALLY reported on it just now. Not much info being given yet.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[zwiebel]

State media have upped their casualty figures.

Chinese state media now reporting that at least 300 people injured after #Tianjin explosion (https://twitter.com/GissiSim/status/631543129263448068?s=17)