No rescuers harmed by chemicals in Tianjin blasts

Firefighters in chemical protective clothing work at the site of the explosion in North China's Tianjin on Aug 15, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

TIANJIN - No rescuer has been made ill by chemical contamination since the warehouse blasts in north China's Tianjin port, the rescue headquarters told Xinhua.

A total of 112 bodies have been found, and 95 people remained missing, including 85 firefighters, after two huge explosions at a warehouse for hazardous chemicals at about 11:30 pm Wednesday following a fire.

Authorities are closely monitoring the quality of air and water after suspicions the warehouse stored sodium cyanide, a highly toxic inorganic compound, among other dangerous chemicals.

Seventy soldiers, specialist in chemical warfare, in heavy uniforms entered the core area of the blasts site on Saturday morning to search for survivors. Another 90 have since joined them.

Measures have been taken to prevent secondary disasters, such as using hydrogen peroxide to reduce the amount of sodium cyanide, sending a taskforce to locate and measure the area contaminated by sodium cyanide, and prevent its spread in sewage.

Special coverage: Deaths, destruction and bravery