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 Two huge blasts in the warehouse storing dangerous chemicals in
Tianjin, the world's 10th-busiest port, killed at least 121 people,
including 67 fire fighters, and forced the evacuation of thousands
after toxic chemicals were detected in the air.
The Public Security Ministry ordered police to increase roadside
checks and tighten the approval process for transportation permits,
the official Xinhua news agency said.
City officials have repeatedly said contaminants found in the wake
of the blasts, including deadly sodium cyanide, pose no risk to the
public.
But concerns about longer-term environmental degradation and the
potential impact on human health have grown, particularly after
authorities confirmed that more than 700 tonnes of sodium cyanide
were stored at the warehouse that blew up.
 More than 100 chemical firms across seven provinces have been told
to shut down or suspend operations due to safety violations in
recent days, announcements by regional governments show.
Chinese media reported the site of the explosions was too close to
nearby homes and accused Tianjin Dongjiang Port Ruihai International
Logistics, the firm whose warehouse exploded, of violating national
regulations.
The regulations state that large warehouses which store dangerous
chemicals should be at least 1,000 meters from public buildings and
transportation networks, media said.
But a safety assessment report conducted about Ruihai before last
week's explosions contradicted those rules, Xinhua reported.
The report found Ruihai met regulatory standards, despite being 310
meters away from a highway, 420 meters away from light rail and 970
meters away from residential areas.
The report reappeared on Tianjin Zhongbin Haisheng Health and Safety
Evaluation and Monitoring Company's (Zhongbin Haisheng) website,
Xinhua said on Saturday.
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Zhongbin Haisheng's website had been inaccessible from Aug. 14,
according to Xinhua, and it was unclear the exact time it became
accessible again.
Ruihai executives have said they used connections to obtain safety
approvals.
Public anger against the government has surged in Tianjin among
residents of apartments near the blasts who believed authorities
neglected to properly police Ruihai.
Every household in four apartment complexes destroyed by the
explosions will receive quarterly compensation of 6,000 yuan ($940)
while living in temporary housing, the state-run China News Service
said, citing authorities at a news conference.
China's State Council, or cabinet, promised it would perform a
timely and accurate investigation into the blasts, state news agency
Xinhua said, citing a State Council official.
($1=6.3887 Chinese yuan renminbi)
(Reporting by Sue-Lin Wong; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clarence
Fernandez)
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