Chinese state media is reporting that the explosion happened at a container terminal

at about 11：30PM on Wednesday night， local time.

The cause is not immediately clear. Photos and video shared on social media show

flames lighting up the sky and shockwaves rattling buildings kilometers away.

China′s Xinhua News says at least seven people have been confirmed dead and hundreds

more injured. The authorities say marshal law has been declared

in the blast zone. A fire started by the explosion is now under

control. Tianjin is a major port city to the south－east

of Beijing， and home to well over seven million people.

We′ll keep you updated on this story throughout the day.