Chemical team faces daunting job

The public has paid great homage to the firefighters, 53 of whom had been confirmed dead in the Aug 12 blasts as of Wednesday. But another group of heroes has also drawn increasing attention - the chemical defense team from the PLA Beijing Military Area Command.

Wearing fully protective clothing and gas masks, members of the special force must approach unknown substances while other troops and professionals stand back and await more explicit information on the substances.

Sixty-two hours after the blast, team members found survivor Han Fengqun between containers. He is now in stable condition and is already eating.