THE CHINES PRESIDENT CALL FOR AN INVESTIGATION

China’s president promised a “thorough investigation” after huge explosions ripped through chemicals warehouses in the

port city of Tianjin, killing at least 50 people and disrupting operations at one of the world’s busiest ports.

The explosions, which sent a mushroom cloud over the city, occurred late on Wednesday, half an hour after emergency services responded to a fire at warehouses belonging to the Ruihai International Logistics company. Several firefighters were among the dead.

Two explosions rocked the northern Chinese city of Tianjin late Wednesday, local time, killing dozens of people, according to authorities.

The first blast happened at 11:30 p.m., followed by a second explosion just 30 seconds later, according to a statement from the Tianjin Fire Department.

At least 44 people were killed, including 12 firefighters, with more than 500 others taken to nearby hospitals, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.