Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumChina's Gov Reassures Tianjin; After Rain, Streets Began Foaming, Residents Felt Lips Were Burning
BEIJING Within minutes of the immense chemical explosions that sent apocalyptic fireballs into the night sky over Tianjin, Zhou Haisen, 23, was making arrangements to leave town. He was terrified that poisonous gases would reach his apartment six miles from the scene, and his fears were swiftly reinforced by posts on Chinese social media. So he and his parents fled to his grandmothers house an hours drive away.
Since last Wednesdays still-unexplained accident, which killed at least 114 people and injured more than 700, the Chinese government has repeatedly insisted that effective measures are being taken to ensure that the air in Tianjin remains safe. But when rain fell on Tuesday, the citys streets began to foam, and people reported burning sensations on their lips and elbows.
An environmental monitoring official denied that those phenomena had anything to do with the explosions, Chinese news outlets reported. Even so, Mr. Zhou will not be going home anytime soon.
Of course, we dont believe the government about the air, he said in a telephone interview. Theyre always unwilling to tell the truth. I dont want to bet my life on their words.
EDIT
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/19/world/asia/china-identifies-executives-of-company-linked-to-tianjin-explosions.html
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)DetlefK
(16,423 posts)liberal N proud
(60,352 posts)Saw pictures from it yesterday, walls were cracked, lights knocked off ceiling and doors blown in.
I think yesterday was the first time anyone was allowed in the area.
I recall driving past that VW facility going to and from the hotel every day when I was there.