China explosions: Georgia offers condolences, saddened by high death toll

Georgia is offering its deepest condolences to China after two massive explosions struck the port city of Tianjuin, leaving 44 people dead and more than 500 injured.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili sent a letter of condolences to his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Georgia, I would like to convey heartfelt condolences and deep sympathies to the bereaved families of the victims, the Government and people of China and wish the injured quick recovery,” Garibashvili's letter read.

"At this time of grief, our hearts go out to the friendly people of China and our thoughts and support are with those who lost their loved ones.”

Georgia’s Foreign Minister also issued a statement in connection with the major blasts. 

"The Georgian Foreign Ministry conveys its condolences to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, to the families of the explosion victims, as well as to the Chinese people and expresses its sincere sympathies in this time of grief,” read the letter of condolences published on the Ministry’s website.

About 11.30pm last night, August 12, two blasts ripped through warehouses that contained hazardous materials, sending fireballs into the sky and shaking buildings more than three kilometres away. Leading UK media outlet the BBC claimed the explosion "could be seen from space”.

Chinese officials announced at least 44 people were confirmed dead, 12 firefighters among them. More than 500 were hospitalized, 52 with severe injuries. Dozens more firefighters remained missing.

According to the BBC, buildings with a two kilometre radius had windows blown out, office blocks were destroyed and hundreds of cars were burnt out. The blasts also destroyed the entire warehouse district at Tianjuin port area as well as nearby homes.

Local media reported the massive explosions were so strong that residents living miles away thought they were experiencing an earthquake.

The BBC claimed the first blast was "huge” but the second was "even more powerful” – the equivalent of 21 metric tonnes of TNT or magnitude 2.9 earthquake, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre.

Chinese officials are now trying to determine what caused the explosions.

Tianjuin is located in the northeast part of the country.