Blood donors come forward after fatal explosion in Hangzhou

Residents of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, have flooded into local blood donation centers, following an explosion that killed two and injured 45 others on Friday.

As of Saturday morning, seven of the injured, two males and five females, remained in critical conditions, and doctors have traveled from Shanghai to assist with their treatment, according to provincial health authorities.

Yang Jing, director of the provincial health and family planning commission, is leading the treatment plan.

The explosion ripped through the ground and second floors of three restaurants at around 8:30 a.m., destroying an area of 200 square meters on Gudun Road near West Lake. The blast shattered the windows of passing vehicles, including a bus, which caused most of the injuries.

Bottled liquefied petroleum gas has been blamed for causing the explosion.

Liang Chao said he was lucky as he took a detour on his way to work on Friday morning to avoid a traffic jam.

"I drive along that road every day, and could have been one of the victims," he said, while waiting in line to donate blood along with his wife, surnamed Chen.

After hearing about the explosion, the couple rushed to a blood donation center just 300 meters from the blast site.

"We often eat at these restaurants. Many of the injured were here to have breakfast or wait for buses outside," said Chen. "I hope we can help them by donating blood."

Simon Quirin, a German national working in Hangzhou, was among the donors waiting at the center. "I saw a news report about the blast, and as it's been enough time since I last donated blood, I am able to donate again now," he said.

Hao Weichen and many others who regularly donate blood were quick to arrive at the blood donation centers.

"As experienced volunteers, we know we are needed following the accident like this," said Hao, who has donated blood over 200 times.

According to the provincial blood donation headquarters, 1,448 people had donated blood as of 11 p.m. Friday.

The blood donation centers have announced they will extend opening hours on Saturday.

As of 8 a.m., the six hospitals treating the blast victims had used 21,600 mm of red blood cells and nearly 30,000 mm of plasma as transfusions for the injured.