China blasts death toll rises to 112

The death toll from massive explosions in China's port of Tianjin has risen to 112 and 95 people, most of them fire fighters, are missing, state media said on Sunday. More than 720 people remained in hospital four days after Wednesday's disaster, which sent massive yellow and orange fireballs into the sky, rained burning debris on to a vast industrial zone, crumpled cars and shipping containers, burnt out buildings and shattered windows of nearby apartments. President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged authorities to improve safety and learn lessons paid for with blood. Some 6,300 people have been displaced by the blasts. Shockwaves were felt by residents in apartment blocks kilometers away in the city of 15 million people. About 100 people from a residential area near the blast site protested outside a hotel where a government press briefing was held, angry that dangerous chemicals had been stored near their homes. About three dozen family members of missing fire fighters marched to district government offices where they were dispersed by police after scuffles. Eighty-five of the 95 missing are fire fighters. Industrial accidents are not uncommon in China following three decades of fast growth. A blast at an auto parts factory killed 75 people a year ago, according to Reuters.
-SRS