Toll Likely To Rise In Blast That Shook Beirut, Killing 100 & Injuring Thousands

Beirut Blast

A huge explosion near the center of Beirut killed at least 100 people and injured nearly 4,000. We bet you have never seen such an explosion in your lifetime. Lebanese rescue workers dug through the rubble looking for survivors of a powerful warehouse blast that shook Beirut.

Tuesday’s blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut.

President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. She said that was “unacceptable”.

Massive blast in Beirut

The blast occurred in the city’s port area, where there were warehouses housing explosives.

Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and local media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse.

Footage of the blast in Beirut on social media showed a column of smoke rising followed by an enormous blast.

The blast revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings, and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck.

 

Dazed, weeping, and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised there would be accountability for the deadly blast at the “dangerous warehouse” in Beirut, adding “those responsible will pay the price.”

The US embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast. It has urged people to stay indoors and wear masks if available.

Many Missing

Footage of the explosion shared by residents on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port. It followed by an enormous blast in Beirut, sending a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock.

Bleeding people were seen running and shouting for help. Streets littered with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture.

Israeli officials said Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, had nothing to do with Tuesday’s blast that occurred in Beirut. It said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Iran and Saudi Arabia also offered support.

Cyprus said it was ready to offer medical aid. The explosion was heard throughout Cyprus, which is about 100 miles (160 km) away.

Pray for Beirut – one of the oldest cities of the world. Moreover, hospitals are overwhelmed by casualties. The blast in Beirut comes at a sensitive time with the country’s economic collapse reigniting old tensions.

Also Read: People Of Lebanon Unite Against Political Elite!

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