Story highlights Caged animals were placed by authorities in the center of the blast zone for chemical testing

Local residents are fearful of chemical contamination

Death toll has risen to 129 people

Hong Kong (CNN) Caged rabbits, chickens and pigeons placed in the heart of the Tianjin blast zone by Chinese authorities to test for chemical exposure have drawn a mix of ire and ridicule on Chinese social media, as pressure builds for authorities to answer for the deadly blast that devastated the northeastern port city earlier this month.

According to a weekend tweet by the state-run People's Daily, the animals were placed in a "core" area of Tianjin to test for possible "chemical remains."

The move comes after images emerged last week of a large number of dead, rotting fish washed up in a local river , fueling local residents' fears over possible chemical contamination.

"Why not put those 'un-corrupt' experts and officials to do some testing?" one Weibo user asked.

"Should drag the people responsible over to it," posted another.

Caged animals were put at the core area of #Tianjin blast site to test possible chemical remains from Wed. pic.twitter.com/8BmMs3SVHR — People's Daily,China (@PDChina) August 22, 2015

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