Smoke and fire are seen after an explosion in the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Aug. 13, 2015. An explosion rocked the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality at around 11:30 pm Wednesday. The cause and casualties are not immediately known. Photo: Xinhua

 
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have urged all-out efforts to save the injured and minimize casualties in the Tianjin blast.

In an instruction, President Xi called for every effort to search for the missing and contain the fire.

The blast, which occurred at a warehouse in the north China port city on Wednesday night, has killed 17 people and injured more than 400, according to rescuers.

The State Council, China's cabinet, has dispatched a work group led by Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun to direct rescue and emergency response.

Premier Li also urged authorities to intensify search and rescue. He asked the injured to be treated properly to minimize death from injuries.

Li also vowed thorough investigation of the accident and ensure open and transparent information disclosure to the public.

Rescue is underway.
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Smoke and fire are seen after an explosion in the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Aug. 13, 2015. An explosion rocked the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality at around 11:30 pm Wednesday. The cause and casualties are not immediately known. Photo: Xinhua

 

Shattered windows of a nearby building are seen after an explosion in the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Aug. 13, 2015. An explosion rocked the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality at around 11:30 pm Wednesday. The cause and casualties are not immediately known. Photo: Xinhua