August 6, 2020 (21st Century Wire) - BEIRUT – Yesterday, an immense explosion ripped through Lebanon’s capital of Beirut, emanating from the city’s busy port situated right next to the city centre.Image: Aerial view of the aftermath of the port explosion showing grain silos still standing next to unusually large crater (Image: CNW@Twitter)
- Lebanese Red Cross says more than 100 people are dead and thousands are injured from the explosion
- Health minister appeals for intl assistance
- Medical supplies stored at a warehouse close to the Beirut port have been destroyed
- Up to 300,000 could be made homeless by the disaster
- Lebanon’s prime minister cites ammonium nitrate as the likely cause
- High Defense Council declares a two-week state of emergency
- Secretary-general of the Kataeb Party Nizar Najarian reportedly killed
- Lebanon’s internal security chief says the blast was in a port area with highly explosive material
- Explosion heard from 150 miles (approx. 240 kilometres) away
According to an official of the Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the Beirut explosions were caused by an estimated 2,750 tons of Ammonium Nitrate which was apparently left unsecured for 6 years in a warehouse.
Is the US going to lift sanctions on Lebanon now? #BeirutBlast #BeirutExplosion pic.twitter.com/2a1zc5uSDu— Syrian Girl (@Partisangirl) August 5, 2020
The government vows to punish any officials shown to be negligent in this unprecedented incident which has now claimed the lives of at least 100 residents and injured a further 4,000.Death tolls could rise sharply once rescue crews are able to search the port area which has been completely leveled as a result of the blast waves.Windows and doors across the city were blown-in, and blast tremors could be felt as far away as Cyprus.Continue following 21st Century Wire's coverage here.