French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Thursday expressed "deep emotion and solidarity" with the mayor of the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin, which suffered massive casualties after two explosions rocked a warehouse Wednesday night. [Special coverage]

The top French diplomat, who is also an honorary professor at Tianjin University, stressed Paris' support to Chinese authorities "in this tragic ordeal".

At least 44 people were killed, including 12 firefighters, and more than 500 were wounded, after two huge explosions hit a warehouse which stored dangerous and chemical goods in Tianjin, according to media reports.