TIANJIN — 2015 · Major Tragedy
The Tianjin Port Explosions
At around 11:30 p.m. on 12 August 2015, in the Binhai New Area of the Port of Tianjin, a fire at a warehouse run by Ruihai Logistics, which stored hazardous chemicals, was followed by two massive explosions. According to official figures, 173 people died, 104 of them firefighters, and 798 were injured; thousands of homes and vehicles were damaged. The investigation announced in February 2016 found that nitrocellulose in an overheated container had ignited spontaneously and that the warehouse held far more hazardous material than permitted. In November 2016, 49 company executives and officials were jailed, and the company chairman received a suspended death sentence.
- Date
- 2015
- Place
- Binhai New Area, Tianjin, CN
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 39.0400, 117.7360 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 12 August 2015, 11:30 p.m.Two massive explosions followed a fire at the warehouse.
- 12 September 2015The final death toll was set at 173.
- 5 February 2016Investigators said nitrocellulose had ignited spontaneously.
- 8 November 201649 people were jailed; the company chairman received a suspended death sentence.
Sources
- BBC News — Tianjin blasts 'on seismic scale' bbc.com ↗
- The Guardian — China sets final death toll at 173 theguardian.com ↗
- VOA — Final death toll set at 173 voanews.com ↗
- Wikipedia — 2015 Tianjin explosions en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- VOA News
- Wikipedia (EN)
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.