Huge Explosion In Tianjin, China

[spirit of btc]

That's awful. I bet a lot of those first responders were killed immediately with the giant explosion. Terrible.

[bitcollins85]

The first dispatched firefighters and police to the location are all dead, they went there expecting a gas station on fire, but what happened after was a big scale chemical explosion.

[kenbytes]

Looking at this, it's hard to imagine that it's still far weaker than a nuke.

[bitcollins85]

Just saw the latest data - Tianjin explosion is estimated to be ~21 tons TNT equivalent. That's ~700 times weaker than Hiroshima bomb and ~ 2.7 million times weaker than the most powerful bomb ever tested.

[zenitzz]

Zone 2 kilometers evacuated, No disclosure of what is released into the atmosphere and how toxic... 85 dead

[msc_de]

RT @PDChina: #Breaking: new explosions happened at #TianjinBlast site Sat. All within radius of 3km have been forcibly evacuated

[--Encrypted--]

-snip-
Looking at this, it's hard to imagine that it's still far weaker than a nuke.

the blast only destroyed most properties within 150 meter range. nuclear will completely obliterate anything within 1KM range. so yeah. it's still far weaker.

[a7mos]

This is extremely bad
The photos are scaring

[msc_de]

RT @PDChina : #Update: anti-chemical warfare corps are sent to handle highly toxic sodium cyanide discovered at #TianjinBlast site




RT @PDChina: Govt did not organize 'evacuation within 2km radius' of blast site: #Tianjin authorities clarify at latest press con.

[bryant.coleman]

The first dispatched firefighters and police to the location are all dead, they went there expecting a gas station on fire, but what happened after was a big scale chemical explosion.

Hmm... according to the latest reports, some 17 firefighters lost their lives. Reminds me of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. On that occasion also, the firefighters were sent to handle the situation, without adequate precautionary measures. Some of them died within a few hours time, the others survived for a few days more.

[andysbizz]

A giant explosion rocked the Chinese city of Tianjin, creating a huge mushroom cloud and causing a quake that could be felt up to 6 miles away, People's Daily China reported.

The explosion was reportedly caused by explosive material in a container at a terminal in Binhai Dist, according to People's Daily. The Hong Kong-based CCTV has reported the explosion occurred at a hazardous goods depot.

Chinese social media site SinaWeibo.com has posted apparent photos of the aftermath. 

The explosion appears to have destroyed large parts of the city, NBC affiliate KSNV News reported.

The number of casualties and injuries is unknown, but a producer for CCTV America says he witnessed some casualties on video.

An apparent video shows the explosion was so powerful, it knocked over a camera a good distance away.

I sympathize with the families of the victims

[MakingMoneyHoney]

China explosions: New blasts reported in Tianjin as residents evacuated over chemical fears



Evacuations as chemical fears grow at China blast site

"Residents living close to the site of giant explosions in the Chinese port of Tianjin have been evacuated over fears of toxic contamination as new fires ignited....."

Wind change at China blast site prompts 'orderly' evacuation

From post 27 - "hazardous chemicals stored by the company concerned include sodium cyanide (NaCN), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and calcium carbide (CaC2)"

CDC: SODIUM CYANIDE : Systemic Agent

"Sodium cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide gas, a highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. Exposure to sodium cyanide can be rapidly fatal."

It doesn't look good. I was concerned as soon as I heard there were chemicals stored there...

[OBAViJEST]

China explosions: New blasts reported in Tianjin as residents evacuated over chemical fears



Evacuations as chemical fears grow at China blast site

"Residents living close to the site of giant explosions in the Chinese port of Tianjin have been evacuated over fears of toxic contamination as new fires ignited....."

Wind change at China blast site prompts 'orderly' evacuation

From post 27 - "hazardous chemicals stored by the company concerned include sodium cyanide (NaCN), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and calcium carbide (CaC2)"

CDC: SODIUM CYANIDE : Systemic Agent

"Sodium cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide gas, a highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. Exposure to sodium cyanide can be rapidly fatal."

It doesn't look good. I was concerned as soon as I heard there were chemicals stored there...

I saw a video of someone (in hazmat/cleanup outfit) pouring water on this bubbling puddle on the ground, which then burst into flames  The worker was asian but I'm not 100% it was recorded at Tianjin...anyone know what I'm referring to?

[MakingMoneyHoney]

China explosions: New blasts reported in Tianjin as residents evacuated over chemical fears



Evacuations as chemical fears grow at China blast site

"Residents living close to the site of giant explosions in the Chinese port of Tianjin have been evacuated over fears of toxic contamination as new fires ignited....."

Wind change at China blast site prompts 'orderly' evacuation

From post 27 - "hazardous chemicals stored by the company concerned include sodium cyanide (NaCN), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and calcium carbide (CaC2)"

CDC: SODIUM CYANIDE : Systemic Agent

"Sodium cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide gas, a highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. Exposure to sodium cyanide can be rapidly fatal."

It doesn't look good. I was concerned as soon as I heard there were chemicals stored there...

I saw a video of someone (in hazmat/cleanup outfit) pouring water on this bubbling puddle on the ground, which then burst into flames  The worker was asian but I'm not 100% it was recorded at Tianjin...anyone know what I'm referring to?

I don't know, but on the CDC page I linked to it says "Sodium cyanide is water-reactive." That means it would react when touched with water right?

More from that page:

 Sodium cyanide is shipped as pellets or briquettes. It absorbs water from air (is hygroscopic or deliquescent).

METHODS OF DISSEMINATION:

    Indoor Air: Sodium cyanide can be released into indoor air as fine droplets, liquid spray (aerosol), or fine particles.
    Water: Sodium cyanide can be used to contaminate water.
    Food: Sodium cyanide can be used to contaminate food.
    Outdoor Air: Sodium cyanide can be released into outdoor air as fine droplets, liquid spray (aerosol), or fine particles.
    Agricultural: If sodium cyanide is released as fine droplets, liquid spray (aerosol), or fine particles, it has the potential to contaminate agricultural products.

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: Sodium cyanide can affect the body through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or eye contact.

[msc_de]

[bitcollins85]

Zone 2 kilometers evacuated, No disclosure of what is released into the atmosphere and how toxic... 85 dead

They'll find more, the trouble is that the Chinese media can't publish anything without being censored. Same for social media, apparently any posts about deaths are being deleted instantly

[Sithara007]

Zone 2 kilometers evacuated, No disclosure of what is released into the atmosphere and how toxic... 85 dead

They'll find more, the trouble is that the Chinese media can't publish anything without being censored. Same for social media, apparently any posts about deaths are being deleted instantly

Even social media users will be having difficulty in getting accurate information. The entire area is cordoned off, and only military personnel and members of paramilitary formations are allowed inside. Likewise, ordinary people (including relatives of the dead) are being prevented from visiting the hospitals and morgues, where the bodies are kept.

[bryant.coleman]

CNN is reporting that the death toll has surpassed 100 mark (according to the government, the toll stands at 105 now). Well... these are the official figures. We might never know the real death toll. That said, the government officials are denying news reports that they have issued evacuation orders for people who are staying nearby.

[OBAViJEST]

CNN is reporting that the death toll has surpassed 100 mark (according to the government, the toll stands at 105 now). Well... these are the official figures. We might never know the real death toll. That said, the government officials are denying news reports that they have issued evacuation orders for people who are staying nearby.

I don't see the logic in denying reports like this - it was a goddamn chemical plant that exploded!  So they censor this report, hoping people think China is forcing them to stay?

[Wilikon]

That's a big hole.