China orders safety hazard cleanup after Tianjin blasts

BEIJING - Chinese authorities ordered correction of any irregularities or safety hazards found during the nationwide safety check launched soon after the huge explosions in Tianjin.

The inspection found hazards at 80 sites in 29 of the country's 34 provincial-level regions, including a village in Beijing, the Ministry of Public Security said in a circular.

Among the 80 sites with safety hazards are clustered areas of illegal residential occupants, logistic firms with warehouses, markets, and slums the circular said.

The ministry exposed irregularities in a village of Zhengzhou city in Henan province. With an area of 66.7 hectares, Chenzhai village has a population of 170,000, without any access to a fire department or water supply.

The authorities urged local governments to take effective measures to eliminate all safety hazards at the 80 sites, adding officials will be held accountable if such irregularities are not corrected in time.

Huge explosions occurred at a warehouse in the city of Tianjin on August 12, killing 165 people and devastating the port area.