Survivors share their stories

Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical Co was not the only company involved. Sixteen surrounding enterprises and multiple villages nearby were affected.

Families of workers are running to local hospitals to find whether their loved ones have survived. Local residents have rushed to donate blood for the injured survivors.

Cai Zhijun lives in a village 600 meters away from the chemical plant. After the blast occurred, the 54-year-old rushed home and found his parents' brick house had collapsed.

His mother happened to step out of the house when it happened, but his father died.

Cai has another building next to his parents' home. The first floor was a small shop, where several shelves were placed against walls in the living room.

His newly-wed son and daughter-in-law lived on the second floor, the stair handrail leading to it still decorated with pink ribbons.

The shelves collapsed and goods were scattered all over the floor.

The stairs are covered in broken glass that cracks underfoot, while shards stick into the plastic ceiling of the upstairs bathroom.

Read more: Jiangsu blast survivors share their stories