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Russia offers assistance to China in dealing with aftermath of major explosions

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry is ready to immediately send aviation with firefighting equipment to the scene and specialists and rescuers with necessary equipment and instruments for conducting works

MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry has offered assistance to China in the aftermath of two major explosions in China’s northern port city of Tianjin.

"Russian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov sent China’s minister of social security a telegram offering the assistance of Russian rescuers in dealing with the aftermath of this large-scale emergency," the ministry’s press service told TASS.

"Russia’s Emergencies Ministry is ready to immediately send modern aviation to the scene, including Il-76 and Be-200 planes equipped with firefighting equipment, as well as specialists and rescuers with necessary equipment and instruments for conducting works," Puchkov’s telegram said.

Addressing the Chinese minister, Puchkov stressed that Russian Emergencies Ministry is ready to render support and assistance at any moment.

A powerful explosion rocked a warehouse storing chemical goods around midnight local time, followed by another major blast seconds later.

Eyewitnesses say that buildings within a 2km radius had windows blown out, while more than 1,000 cars burned down.

The causes of the accident have not been identified yet. According to latest reports, the explosions killed 44 people and injured 520 more. At least 66 people are in a critical condition.