A massive explosion has ripped through Beirut. At present, the number killed is unclear but the number of injured is expected to be in the thousands. The huge blast which was caught on video from a number of angles was so large that it let out a huge mushroom cloud and was heard as far away as Nicosia in Cyprus over 200km away. The explosion appears to have taken place in a warehouse at the port of Beirut, which sits on the Mediterranean Sea.
The most recent statement from the Lebanon Interior Minister, Mohamed Fehmi, indicates that he believes ammonium nitrate is responsible for the blast. The chemical is used primarily as a fertiliser but has also often been used by terrorists as a way of making high-powered explosives.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, has said that 'issues' surrounding the warehouse were known since 2014, though he failed to give any further details.
Footage appears to show the aftermath of an initial first explosion, which was nothing compared to the second explosion which let out a huge shockwave and had the appearance of an atomic explosion. While some had suggested a fireworks factory had exploded the blast and the forces involved appear far too large to be the result of fireworks and the indication is that either another substance or military grade explosives had been detonated.
#BREAKING - 70+ People have been killed in the MASSIVE explosion in #Beirut, #Lebanon, per Red Cross.
— SV News 🚨 (@SVNewsAlerts) August 4, 2020
pic.twitter.com/ddM0tojmlU
Never seen something like this. Beirut explosive pic.twitter.com/RciYrSiatL
— Hassan Hassan (@hxhassan) August 4, 2020
Another angle from the horrifying and insane footage of the Beirut explosion pic.twitter.com/1fHHwq9AyM
— Hassan Hassan (@hxhassan) August 4, 2020
Reports state that Beirut hospital was badly damaged in the explosion and is having difficulty dealing with an influx of patients. Nations across the world have offered their support.
Footage of the aftermath shows an apocalyptic scene with cars overturned and almost every building damaged in some way.
My sisters father just sent us this video from Beirut. Wow. pic.twitter.com/SzsQ1pojl6
— tiffany chanel (@mamaxcollins) August 4, 2020
One twitter user, Zeina Soufan, shared a picture showing a before and after of the scene, demonstrating the huge devastation caused.
Before and after... pic.twitter.com/cMaC8shALO
— Zeina Soufan زينة صوفان (@zeina_soufan) August 4, 2020
While it is as of yet unclear exactly the cause of the explosion, there will be those putting forward the possibility of deliberate action. Lebanon has been under severe strain domestically for a large number of years.
There have been recent mass protests against the current regime due to unemployment and economic collapse, Lebanon has the second highest debt ratio in the world. It also has a deeply complex and violent history, with a vast number of different religious and political groups fighting for power.
A civil war raged in Lebanon from 1975 to 1990 and cost 120,000 lives, and in recent times it has been at war with Israel, its southern neighbour. ISIS elements are believed to be active in the country and Iranian backed Hezbollah hold massive sway in the internal affairs of the nation, they back the current Prime Minister.
The explosion also comes days before the verdict of four men standing trial in absentia for the car bomb assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Some have claimed the Syrian regime was ultimately responsible for the act.
To help save lives in Beirut, you can make a donation by using one of the following links:
International Rescue Committee
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