Xi calls for crews not to ease up

High levels of cyanide chemicals detected in core zone, but water outside of area safe

President Xi Jinping has called on rescue crews at the site of the deadly Tianjin blasts to not let up with their efforts and for agencies to train their focus on effective follow-up measures.

According to a statement issued after the meeting of the Political Bureau Standing Committee on Thursday, the nation's top leaders demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of the Aug 12 blasts, which destroyed a warehouse in the Tianjin Binhai New Area that stored hazardous chemicals, including about 700 metric tons of sodium cyanide.