Update | Ray of hope amid crushing despair: firefighter found alive 30 hours after Chinese port blast
Relatives of those missing decry official silence as death toll rises to 56
Miracles are seized upon in catastrophes as they inject hope into overwhelming despair, as happened yesterday morning when a firefighter was found alive about 30 hours after the blasts in Tianjin.
Zhou Ti, 19, was found at 7.05am on Friday morning at the scene of the blasts, city government officials said at a news briefing.
Rescuers found Zhou about 20 metres from the blast point lying on the ground with his eyes closed, but slight movement in his throat indicated he was still alive. Three dead firefighters were found nearby.
He was among the first of about 1,000 firefighters who fought the blaze at the warehouse owned by Ruihai International Logistics in the industrial Binhai New Area on Wednesday night, shortly before two massive explosions.
Zhou is said to be in a stable condition, state television reported, citing hospital doctors.
Zhou was sent to Teda Hospital with burns to his face and lungs, and cuts down to the bone on his left leg. Doctor Shen Qiang said he was conscious but had no recollection beyond the blast. "Captain, has the fire been put out yet," Zhou was quoted as saying when he regained consciousness. "How's everyone else?" he said. But none from his team have survived.