The Ministry of Public Security has honored 24 firefighters who died in the Tianjin warehouse explosions and vowed to award them golden medals honoring their sacrifice for national defense.

During a meeting held Saturday in Tianjin, Yu Jianhua, director of the fire department of the Ministry of Public Security, read the ministry's decision to honor the 24 firefighters of the Tianjin public security fire brigade.

Two blasts ripped through a warehouse at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 in Tianjin Port, where large amounts of toxic chemicals were stored. A total of 165 people, including 99 firefighters and 11 policemen, were killed in the blasts. Eight people are still missing.

Among the 99 firefighters, 24 were firefighters under the public security department, and 75 were contracted with the Tianjin Port Co., Ltd.

The civil affairs department of the Binhai New Area has vowed to compensate and recognize all contract firefighters of Tianjin Port who died.

Source: XINHUA