China explosions: Tianjin blasts aftermath in pictures

An aerial view of a large hole in the ground in the aftermath of a huge explosion that rocked the port city of Tianjin — Image caption,
Plumes of black smoke continue to rise in the city of Tianjin, after devastating explosions at an industrial facility on Wednesday.

Firefighters work at the site of the explosions

AFP

Firefighters are still at the site, three days after the explosions. Police have continued to search the area, where a man was discovered alive on Saturday.

A victim of the explosions carrying his belongings walks out of his home in a residential area

AFP

Officials ordered an emergency evacuation of all residents within 3km (2 miles) of the blast site, after the highly toxic chemical sodium cyanide was discovered nearby, state media report.

A firefighter walks among damaged vehicles at the site of Wednesday night's explosions in Tianjin, China, on 14 August, 2015

EPA

The huge explosions on Wednesday caused massive damage to the site and a nearby lot of cars was completely burnt.

Reuters

An aerial picture shows damaged trucks and a shipping container near the site of explosions

Relatives of a missing firefighter outside the venue of a news conference in Tianjin, China, on August 15, 2015

Reuters

Dozens of people were killed and hundreds were injured. Many firefighters who first attended the scene when the fire broke out were among the dead - and many more are missing, their families desperate for news.

A man eats in a tent set up at a temporary shelter in a playground of a primary school, for people affected by explosions in Tianjin, China, on August 14, 2015

Reuters

The industrial site was near a residential area, and many locals have been forced into temporary shelters.

Local people pray for victims outside the Taida hospital

EPA

Prayers were said for victims outside the city's Taida hospital.