Tianjin explosion:
China sets final death toll[1]
at 173, ending search for survivors
Authorities[2] call off[3] search
for remaining eight missing in a massive chemical warehouse[4]
explosion last month, declaring[5] them
dead.
Chinese authorities
ended the search for the remaining eight missing in a massive chemical warehouse
explosion last month, setting the final death toll at 173 in China’s worst
industrial disaster in years.
The announcement by the Tianjin city government said there was no hope of finding the eight people and the court would start issuing death certificates[6].
“After thorough investigations by all parties[7] it is certain that there is no possibility of survivors,” said a statement on Friday night.
The eight include five firefighters, underscoring[8] the explosion’s status as the worst disaster for Chinese first responders[9], more than 100 of whom were killed, including police officers. Among firefighters a total of 104 were killed.
Investigations into the 12 August blasts[10] at the Ruihai International Logistics[11] warehouses showed they were located closer to homes than permitted[12], and stored much more hazardous material than authorized[13], including 700 tons of highly toxic sodium cyanide[14].
A series of massive explosions late at night shattered[15] windows and tore[16] facades[17] off buildings for miles around, while launching debris[18] including heavy steel storage canister[19]s into nearby communities with the force[20] of an artillery shell[21]. Homeowners have held protests[22] demanding the government buy back their apartments, saying they are unlivable[23].
The disaster has raised questions about corruption and government efficiency, potentially[24] tarnishing[25] the government led by Xi Jinping, who has made those two issues a hallmark[26] of his administration[27].
Authorities are investigating malfeasance[28] in the issuing of permits and regulation of the company, and have detained[29] 12 of its employees and executives[30]. They include the primary[31] owner, who was on the board[32] of a state-owned company[33] and kept his ownership of Ruihai hidden as a silent partner.
Also detained as part of the investigation are 11 government officials, while the head of the government body in charge of [34]industrial safety, Yang Dongliang, has been placed under investigation for corruption.
Yang
had previously worked for 18 years in Tianjin in state industry and local
government, rising to executive vice mayor[35].
Authorities say they have sealed[36] all waterways leading out of the blast zone[37] to curb[38] cyanide[39] contamination[40] as teams in hazmat suits[41] clean up hazardous debris.
According to the Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau[42], water samples inside the disaster zone have shown levels of cyanide as high as 20 times above that considered safe. No cyanide has been detected in nearby seawater or areas outside the 1.8-mile (three-kilometer) radius[43] quarantine zone[44].
Authorities say they have sealed[36] all waterways leading out of the blast zone[37] to curb[38] cyanide[39] contamination[40] as teams in hazmat suits[41] clean up hazardous debris.
According to the Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau[42], water samples inside the disaster zone have shown levels of cyanide as high as 20 times above that considered safe. No cyanide has been detected in nearby seawater or areas outside the 1.8-mile (three-kilometer) radius[43] quarantine zone[44].
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/12/tianjin-explosion-china-sets-final-death-toll-at-173-ending-search-for-survivors
Structure of the Lead：
WHO- Government, Yang Dongliang, Homeowners
WHEN- 2015.06.08
WHAT- Massive explosion
WHY- warehouses, where they launched debris were located closer to homes
WHERE- Tianjin, China
HOW- deathly, badly
WHO- Government, Yang Dongliang, Homeowners
WHEN- 2015.06.08
WHAT- Massive explosion
WHY- warehouses, where they launched debris were located closer to homes
WHERE- Tianjin, China
HOW- deathly, badly
Keywords
I was frightened when I read the news of this explosion. The blast like the one in Tianjin was really horrible. The government ought to investigate this incident seriously and severely punish those who were corrupt, taking bribe, causing it to happen. I hope the blast zone will be restored as soon as possible.
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