Video: Explosions At Beirut Port Leaves The City In Ruins, At Least 78 People Killed
Two massive blasts on the evening of Tuesday, 4th August 2020 shook Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, causing injuries to thousands and killing at least 78 people, as reported so far. Beirut has now been declared as a disaster area.
The port of Beirut was struck with two explosions last evening, causing severe damage to buildings and homes in its radius, including the Prime Minister’s residence. NNA, the official news agency says that the explosion was caused at the firework depot of the port, that stored highly volatile chemicals in unsafe conditions.
Witnesses have described the incident “like an atomic bomb” and worse than the effects of the civil war of 1975-90. “The city has collapsed. “I am walking through glass and debris everywhere, in the dark”, said another.
The president has recommended a two-week emergency to cope with the shockwave that has turned buildings inhabitable. Photos and video footages released show a dense cloud of smoke followed by what was called a ‘massive fireball’ that sent the city rocking.
The explosions sent ripples across the city as it could be felt everywhere. Windows shattered in buildings throughout the city, including Nicosia that is located about 240 km away, at the island of Cyprus. Rescue teams are currently at work, trying to retrieve people from the large scale of debris, that also includes hospitals.
The country is small, and faced with the COVID-19 pandemic at the moment, are overwhelmed with the arrivals to the hospital. Wounded people are being turned away or transported to hospitals outside Beirut if it has the capacity.
A doctor at St.George’s hospital stated, “They’re bringing people to the hospital but we can’t receive them,” he said. “They’re treating them outside in the street. The hospital is broken, the ER is broken, as per the Guardian.
The explosions have occurred at a time when Lebanon is faced with its worst economical and political crisis in decades. The event has also lead to the destruction of granaries close by, suggesting the addition of a food crisis in the near future.
The major portion of “Port of Beirut” is destroyed—Video Taken from a ship.
The major portion of “Port of Beirut” is destroyed—Video Taken from a ship.
Lebanon’s Head of General Security: blast was caused by a fire in a depot of highly explosive material, including Sodium nitrate, confiscated from a ship months ago and stored there.#PrayForLebanon pic.twitter.com/0AUkShRVl0
— MarineInsight (@MarineInsight) August 4, 2020
Hamad Hassan, the public health minister has announced that the ministry would undertake the charges of the treatment of the injured, even covering hospitals that do not come under the contact of the ministry.
Lebanon’s Head of General Security: blast was caused by a fire in a depot of highly explosive material, including Sodium nitrate, confiscated from a ship months ago and stored there.
Prime minister Saad Hariri expressed his grief and has announced a day of mourning on Wednesday, 5t of August 2020. He informed the masses that about 2750 tons of stored ammonium nitrate went up in flames, causing the explosion. It had been stored in a warehouse for 6 years. He also added that “the ones responsible for the catastrophe will pay the price”.
Reference: thestatesman.com
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