(Photo : REUTERS/Stringer ) People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers of the anti-chemical warfare corps in protection suits work next to excavators cleaning up the debris at the site of last week's blasts in Binhai new district of Tianjin.


Local authorities have announced plans to construct a monument, a park and other public facilities at the site of the Tianjin port explosions.



Binhai New Area authorities, who say that the monument would honor the victims of the explosions, also revealed that a 59-acre park would be built at the site, according to China-state media.



Like Us on Facebook


Two explosions at the Tianjin port in the middle of last month claimed the lives of about 161 people. At least 12 people remain missing nearly a month after the explosions occurred. The explosions also caused damages to several commercial and residential buildings and destroyed thousands of cars parked at the port.



Binhai New Area Planning and Land Resource Administration have revealed that more than 5,000 apartments would be constructed for people whose homes were destroyed in the explosions. Authorities also announced plans of building schools in the area.



The blast led to the dispersion of various toxic chemicals, including calcium carbide and sodium cyanide. Authorities have been working to contain the spread of these toxic chemicals and clean up the site of the explosions. While the clean-up exercise is said to be nearly finished, there are concerning reports of the presence of high amounts of cyanide in water quality tests.



Last week, up to a dozen people were detained in connection with the deadly Tianjin blasts. Prosecutors later charged 11 people - mainly port executives and officials - for neglecting safety regulations related to the storage of dangerous chemicals. Experts say the incident is likely to lead to an overhaul in China's safety regulation and inspection. Critics say China's rapid development is directly linked to the high rate of industrial accidents as safety is overlooked for profit.



Among the people detained is the president of Tianjin Port Holdings Co Ltd, Zheng Qingyue. Several top officials in Ruihai International Logistics Co Ltd - the company that owns the warehouse where the chemicals were stored - were also detained.




TagsTianjin Blasts, tianjin port explosion, Binhai New Area Tianjin, Tianjin Port Holdings Co Ltd, Ruihai International Logistics Co. Ltd