Alarming pictures show masses of dead fish washed up four miles from site of deadly chemical blast in China that dispersed 700 tons of sodium cyanide into the air

  • Piles of dead fish have washed up at a lake about four miles from the site of the Tianjin warehouse blasts
  • The warehouse housed around 40 different hazardous chemicals, including 700 tons of sodium cyanide
  • Tests show cyanide levels in rivers, the sea and waste water have risen considerably in the wake of the explosion
  • Locals say they have never seen so many dead fish in the area before, but officials deny the water is toxic
  • This is the latest in a line of Exodus-like happenings since the blast, which include foaming, burning rainfall 

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Piles of dead fish have washed up on the shores of a lake in Tianjin today, about four miles from the site of the blasts that ripped through a hazardous goods warehouse last week.

Locals have said they have never seen so many dead fish in the area before. 

It is believed the strange occurrence could be a result of last Wednesday's explosions, The People's Daily Online reported. 

Strange: Piles of dead fish have washed up on the shores of a lake in Tianjin, about four miles away from the blast that killed 114 people

Strange: Piles of dead fish have washed up on the shores of a lake in Tianjin, about four miles away from the blast that killed 114 people

Unusual occurrence: Locals have said they have never seen so many dead fish in the area before

Unusual occurrence: Locals have said they have never seen so many dead fish in the area before

Two large explosions ripped through Ruihai International Logistics warehouse last Wednesday, leaving at least 114 dead and countless more injured.

The warehouse housed around 40 different hazardous chemicals, including 700 tons of toxic sodium cyanide, 800 tons of ammonium nitrate and 500 tons of potassium.

On August 19, The Tianjin Environmental Bureau said tests showed cyanide levels in nearby rivers, the sea and waste water had risen considerably in the wake of the explosion, which completely decimated the warehouse.

Toxic: Tests by the Tianjin Environmental Bureau  show cyanide levels in nearby water sources have risen considerably

Toxic: Tests by the Tianjin Environmental Bureau show cyanide levels in nearby water sources have risen considerably

Ominous: While the appearance of the fish seems portentous, officials are not in a position to confirm  whether the blasts killed them

Ominous: While the appearance of the fish seems portentous, officials are not in a position to confirm whether the blasts killed them

Sixteen water quality monitoring stations within the core zone of the blast have detected sodium cyanide, of which eight have seen the concentration of this toxic chemical exceeding national standards.

One sample taken from a drain pipe near the site of the explosions recorded cyanide levels a massive 277 times above acceptable standards. 

However, The Tianjin Environmental Bureau has insisted that the air and drinking water in the city are within safe levels.

They also claim that water pollution had been efficiently contained. 

While the appearance of the fish seems ominous, at present, the bureau is yet to confirm or deny whether the explosions led to their death.

In a press conference Deng Xiaowen, head of environment monitoring at Tianjin Environmental Protection, said that is not uncommon to see large quantities of dead fish on the shore in summer, owing to pollution.

While cyanide levels in the sea have risen, they are in the normal range compared to the average level in past years, he claimed.

Not uncommon: Deng Xiaowen, of Tianjin Environmental Protection, said such sights are not uncommon in summer, because of pollution

Not uncommon: Deng Xiaowen, of Tianjin Environmental Protection, said such sights are not uncommon in summer, because of pollution

Normal range: While cyanide levels in the sea have risen, they are in the normal range in comparison to past years, Deng claimed

Normal range: While cyanide levels in the sea have risen, they are in the normal range in comparison to past years, Deng claimed

Exodus: This is the latest odd occurrence to happen since Wednesday's warehouse blasts

Exodus: This is the latest odd occurrence to happen since Wednesday's warehouse blasts

Disaster: The twin blasts set off a giant fireball and devastated a vast area of Tianjin. Above is a satellite picture of the explosion site

Disaster: The twin blasts set off a giant fireball and devastated a vast area of Tianjin. Above is a satellite picture of the explosion site

Burning: On Tuesday rainfall in Tianjin left an odd foamy substance in its wake and some people felt a burning or stinging sensation

Burning: On Tuesday rainfall in Tianjin left an odd foamy substance in its wake and some people felt a burning or stinging sensation

This is the latest in a series of Exodus-esque happenings that have occurred since last Wednesday's explosion. 

On Tuesday, rain that washed over the city left a mysterious, foamy substance in its wake. 

Some people who made contact with the rain reported feeling a burning sensation on their faces and lips, while others said they experienced stinging and itching sensations on their arms. 

Authorities were quick to assert that the rainwater was not toxic.