Much of the world is still in shock after two enormous explosions hit the Chinese city of Tianjin – killing at least 56 people and injuring well over 700 in a blast so extreme it could be seen from space.

The photograph below was captured by a Japanese weather satellite orbiting Earth, with the white spot on the green line showing the second of the explosions in Tianjin.

Viral footage of the tragic incident, filmed by an eyewitness on Wednesday night, has since spread worldwide, showing the huge explosions in the city port, which have been traced back to a port warehouse reportedly storing “dangerous and chemical goods”.

The city of Tianjin numbers nearly 7.5 million in population, and the first explosion was said to have been the equivalent of three tonnes of TNT detonating at once, while the second is said to have been the equivalent of an inconceivable 21 tonnes.

The shocking drone footage below shows the full extent of the damage to the area, with fires still burning at the city port now, almost two full days after the initial explosion, and containers and cars everywhere in the area left incinerated by the incident.

The impact of the blast was such that it actually travelled kilometres from the port, shaking entire buildings nearby, shattering windows and tearing off doors, not unlike something from a Hollywood disaster film.

There is yet to be any confirmation or word on what chemicals were on site and caused the explosions, if indeed there were any at all, but a public investigation has been promised, as has “open and transparent information disclosure to the public.”