The Singapore Government yesterday expressed its deepest condolences to the families of victims of the blasts in Tianjin and said no Singaporeans were reported to have been seriously injured.

In response to media queries, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that late on Wednesday night, "our embassy in Beijing activated its warden system in Tianjin to ascertain the safety of 79 registered Singaporeans near the incident area, including those working at the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, which is located 16km away from the blast site".

As of 10am yesterday, the ministry had contacted almost all the registered Singaporeans, the ministry said in a statement.

"Thus far, we have not received any reports of Singaporeans who have sustained heavy injuries from the blast," it said.

"MFA will remain in close contact with the Tianjin authorities until all registered Singaporeans are accounted for and to render consular assistance to the affected Singaporeans."

Separately, the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development (SSTEC) confirmed yesterday that all employees were accounted for.

One employee sustained minor injuries and has received treatment, while SSTEC's office buildings sustained superficial damage but its operations were unaffected.

Singapore's CWT, which has a warehousing and logistics subsi-diary, Globelink-Trans (Tianjin) International Forwarding, said its Tianjin operations have been affected by the blast.

CWT chief financial officer and deputy group chief executive Lynda Goh told The Straits Times one of CWT's warehouses was damaged in the explosion.

She said that CWT had shifted operations to alternative locations in the Tianjin area.

Singaporeans in Tianjin can reach the Singapore Embassy in Beijing by telephone on +86-1391-0755-251 or by e-mail at singemb_bej @mfa.sg

Annabeth Leow