Two massive explosions in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin Tuesday night have killed at least seven people and injured more than 300.
BBC reported that the twin explosions--timed approximately 30 seconds apart--occurred when a shipment of explosives blew up in the port city, according to various Chinese state media sources.
The China Earthquake Networks Center, an official Chinese seismic agency, described the force of the first blast as equivalent to three tons of TNT (2.3 degree magnitude), and the second to 21 tons (2.9 degree magnitude).
CCTV America reported that in the wake of the explosion, which occurred at approximately 11:30 P.M. local time, several surrounding high rise buildings are out of power. Some individuals have also reported chemical gas leaks.
Pictures and videos of the explosions quickly circulated on social media, showing flames illuminating the sky and vast damage to nearby structures.
China National Radio reported that cracks arose in nearby buildings following explosion.
One eyewitness described the blast as a "big fireball and explosion."
"At the time of the explosion the ground was shaking fiercely, nearby cars and buildings were shaking, a few buildings’ glass all broke and everyone started to run," the witness recalled.
Another labeled the scene "pure chaos," detailing, "everyone leaving their apartment buildings thinking it’s an earthquake, cars trying to leave the complex and just it was crazy the amount of light that this explosion and fire lit up."
Xinhua state news agency reported that other explosions were triggered nearby by the original blast, which allegedly occurred in the area of a warehouse storing hazardous goods.