At least 78 dead, thousands injured after massive explosion in Beirut
First Published: 5th August, 2020 13:34 IST
A large explosion rocked the Lebanon capital of Beirut on Tuesday after a major fire broke out near the city’s port, killing at least 78 people and injuring around 4,000.
A large explosion rocked the Lebanon capital of Beirut on Tuesday after a major fire broke out near the city’s port, killing at least 78 people and injuring around 4,000.
Initially, there were conflicting reports on what caused the explosion. It was earlier blamed on a major fire at a warehouse for firecrackers near the port.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab later said in a statement that an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, an explosive, had been stored at a warehouse for the past six years.
The blast tore through the city and wreaked havoc on nearly all of Beirut’s quarters as a large mushroom cloud rose above the capital. The shockwave from the explosion damaged buildings as far away as 10 km from the site of the blast. Streets were filled with shattered glass and debris.
Emergency wards were inundated with the injured, while the Lebanese Red Cross implored the public on Twitter for blood donations to help the wounded.
Later, Lebanese President Michael Aoun ordered military patrols in the city and vowed to investigate. Prime Minister Diab said the storage of ammonium nitrate at a warehouse was “unacceptable” and would be investigated.
Ammonium nitrate is a key ingredient in both fertilizer and certain types of explosives. The substance has been used in terror attacks, including the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995.
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an emergency cabinet meeting today and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared following a massive explosion.
PM Narendra Modi also expresses his shock and concern over the incident. Taking to twitter PM wrote, “Shocked and saddened by the large explosion in Beirut city leading to loss of life and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured.”
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Stones pelted in Longding during scrutiny of nomination papers
28th March 2024Live Assam: Bhutan king visits Dhubri on way back home from Bangladesh
28th March 2024Live Assamese documentary ‘Fehujali’ wins ‘Best Short Documentary’ award at 7th New Delhi Film Festival
28th March 2024Live Over 5,000 people from Muslim community join BJP in Assam today
28th March 2024WE RECOMMEND
Bijay Chhetri becomes first Indian to join Latin American club Colon Futbol Club on loan
Colon Futbol team is a 116-year-old professional football team headquartered in Montevideo that presently competes in Uruguay's second division.
28th March 2024Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Six missing workers presumed dead, says Maryland state police
Earlier, as stated by US President Joe Biden, eight people were unaccounted for after the Baltimore Bridge collapse, out of which two have been rescued
27th March 20246.9 magnitude earthquake jolts Papua New Guinea
A strong earthquake of 7.0 magnitude killed at least seven people in April last year
24th March 2024PM Modi to embark on 2-day Bhutan Visit: What it means for the 2 nations?
Mr Modi's visit to Bhutan comes just days after his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay' s tour of India and the meetings he had with the Indian Prime Minister, the President and other leaders.
20th March 20248-hour intermittent fasting each day increases risk of cardiovascular death: Study
The researchers, led by Victor Zhong of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, analyzed data from adults included in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
19th March 2024