(VOVworld) – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have urged all-out efforts to save the injured and contain the fire ignited by explosions on Wednesday in the port city of Tianjin.

Damaged buildings and cars are seen after two huge explosions rocked the Chinese port city of Tianjin. (Wu Hong / European Press photo Agency)

The blasts killed at least 44 people and injured hundreds. A team led by Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun arrived in the area to direct rescue and emergency response. Li vowed a thorough and open investigation of the accident.

Two explosions rocked a container terminal in an industrial area in Tianjin, northern China, late Wednesday. Witnesses said the blasts shot massive fireballs 100m high above the city's skyscrapers.

The blasts shot massive fireballs 100m high above the city's skyscrapers (Photo:nbc)

According to China’s National Earthquake Bureau, the second blast was equivalent to about 21 tons of TNT exploding, while the first was the equivalent of about 3 tons of TNT.