天津爆炸遇难人数升至55人

A State Council investigation team says one survivor and the remains of five victims have been found Friday, nearly 40 hours after two massive explosions rocked the port area of the northern Chinese municipality of Tianjin.

That raises the number of fatalities to 55. More than 700 people have been hospitalized, including 70 who are in critical condition.

A team of nuclear and chemical specialists is working on the site to determine the extent of toxic materials there. The specialists are undertaking a decontamination process after they return from the core area of the explosion site. Environment authorities say the blasts have caused pollution but it is under control.

Meanwhile, according to a news conference held by the Tianjin Municipal Government this morning, more than 1,000 firefighters and nearly 200 fire engines are involved in the operations.