Li Keqiang pays respects to firefighters lost in Tianjin blasts

Want China Times, Xinhua 2015-08-17

Li Keqiang pays his respects to the firefighters confirmed to have died in the
 explosions, Aug. 16. Many other firefighters remain unaccounted for. (Photo/CNS)

Bowing to photos of the deceased firefighters, Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday paid respects to the young men who lost their lives in two massive warehouse blasts in the north China port city of Tianjin that have killed 112.

"They are all heroes and deserve the respect of the whole country," Li said while visiting a brigade of the Tianjin fire department.

At least 21 firefighters have been killed after two huge explosions tore through a warehouse in Tianjin's Binhai New Area late Wednesday night, and 85 other firefighters remain unaccounted for.

Li said all the dead — whether official firefighters or contractors — will enjoy the same posthumous honors and their families will be given the same compensation.

The premier also visited the firefighters and soldiers still racing against the clock to search for the missing people at the blast site, praising their valor and contributions. "When people's lives are at risk, you go to the rescue without fear or hesitation and make sacrifices," Li said. "The Party and the government thank you."

He asked them to ensure their own safety in their rescue work.

Li also led officials to stand in silent tribute to all the dead in the disaster before a meeting of the rescue headquarters.

The premier arrived in Tianjin Sunday afternoon. His first stop was the quarantined area, where he oversaw rescue, search and cleaning operations. He urged the continued search for the missing people and thorough elimination of dangerous remains of the exploded chemicals.

Li told the environmental staff to keep monitoring the environment around the clock and release accurate, authoritative environment information as the public are highly concerned about the air, water and soil quality around the blast site.

Li visited the temporary relocation site and demanded considerate services for the displaced citizens.

At hospitals, he promised the wounded the best medical resources. He also asked the medical staff to do their best to minimize fatalities and disabilities.

At the meeting on further rescue plan, Li ordered swift release of information concerning the explosions in order to let the public know the real picture in timely manner. No secondary accidents are allowed. "The accident has incurred heavy casualties and taught us an extremely painful lesson," the premier said at the meeting.

The investigation team set up by the State Council, China's cabinet, must find out the cause thoroughly and punish those with dereliction of duty severely, he said.

Li ordered a nationwide overhaul of work safety focusing on dangerous chemicals and inflammable materials.

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