Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday visited the Tianjin port warehouse where an explosion occurred earlier in the week. The leader's visit followed an announcement by local authorities that the death toll from the deadly blast on Aug. 12 has increased to 112.

Gong Jiansheng, the deputy head of Tianjin's publicity department, confirmed that more bodies were found on Saturday. Nonetheless, nearly 100 people remain missing several days after the explosion and over 700 people are still being hospitalized with injuries.  Only 24 of the victims have been identified thus far.

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The accident at the warehouse owned by Tianjin Port Rui Hai International Logistics Co Ltd has turned the spotlight on the enforcement of safety regulations in industries that deal with potentially dangerous materials. Authorities have since revealed that the blast at the warehouse, which was used to store toxic chemicals, was the result of lax implementation of safety standards.

The State Council on Friday urged local authorities to strictly enforce safety regulations for handling and storing materials that could be harmful to the public. The cabinet also called on authorities to clamp down on illegal operators involved in handling harmful materials.

There are concerns that the air and sea water around the Tianjin port could have become contaminated with the harmful chemicals stored in the warehouse. Police have confirmed that cyanide was one of the chemicals stored in the Tianjin warehouse. On Saturday, authorities ordered the evacuation of all settlements within three kilometers of the blast site.

However, on Sunday, authorities revealed that only small amounts of cyanide had leaked into the air and water following the explosion. Residents have been assured that provided they do not violate the evacuation orders and venture too close to the blast, they do not risk contamination.

Shi Luzi, the chief of staff of the Beijing Military Area Command, has revealed that rescuers are using hydrogen peroxide to neutralize hundreds of tonnes of cyanide at the explosion site.

Premier Li is expected to give further instructions on the rescue efforts and address the issue of work safety later at the site of the explosion.

Tagstianjin blast, Tianjin explosion, Tianjin Port Rui Hai International Logistics Co Ltd, Tianjin Warehouse Blast