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Beirut explosion: at least 78 dead and 4,000 wounded, says Lebanon health ministry – live updates Beirut explosion: at least 78 dead and 4,000 wounded, says Lebanon health ministry – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Interior minister says ammonium nitrate likely caused at least one explosion amid reports hospitals too damaged to treat patientsInterior minister says ammonium nitrate likely caused at least one explosion amid reports hospitals too damaged to treat patients
Dr David Caldicott, emergency consultant and senior clinical lecturer in medicine at the Australian National University, has provided the following analysis on the scale of the explosion.
My colleague Ben Doherty, has the following update:
The full scale of the calamity was laid bare when the capital woke on Wednesday with rescue teams searching through the debris of ruined neighbourhoods for the missing, and hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of casualties
A two-week state of emergency has been recommended by the president, after authorities blamed a huge store of the highly reactive chemical ammonium nitrate for the explosion that sent a shockwave across the city, shattering windows, collapsing roofs and rendering homes uninhabitable.
The blast, at 6:08pm local time on Tuesday, was so powerful it was felt in Cyprus, 120 miles away.
It left cars with blown out windows strewn on highways and a city in shock. Footage posted on social media showed whole neighbourhoods in ruins.
“There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity,” Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters.
President Michel Aoun declared a three-day mourning period, and said the government would release 100 billion lira (£50.5m; $66m) of emergency funds.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has tweeted that he is “shocked and saddened” by the explosion in Beirut, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured.”
In the video below, Beirut residents describe the impact of the explosion. “I’ve seen war, I’ve felt war,” says one man. “It’s a catastrophe. I’ve never seen something like that.”In the video below, Beirut residents describe the impact of the explosion. “I’ve seen war, I’ve felt war,” says one man. “It’s a catastrophe. I’ve never seen something like that.”
At a hospital, a member of staff describes how part of the building’s ceiling has collapsed, and windows shattered.At a hospital, a member of staff describes how part of the building’s ceiling has collapsed, and windows shattered.
“I think outrage would be the correct word to express what I’m feeling right now,” says another resident.“I think outrage would be the correct word to express what I’m feeling right now,” says another resident.
Leila Molana-Allen, Middle East Correspondent for France 24, has been speaking to BBC World Service from Beirut.Leila Molana-Allen, Middle East Correspondent for France 24, has been speaking to BBC World Service from Beirut.
Hospitals, she said, are “barely coping”. She was treated in the early hours for an non-life-threatening injury, and said nurses described receiving 300 patients in just a few hours. “They were running low on certain types of anitbiotics, they were completely out of tetanus shots, which of course they need to give everyone who has one of these types of injuries - and of course everyone had a debris injury,” said Molana-Allen.Hospitals, she said, are “barely coping”. She was treated in the early hours for an non-life-threatening injury, and said nurses described receiving 300 patients in just a few hours. “They were running low on certain types of anitbiotics, they were completely out of tetanus shots, which of course they need to give everyone who has one of these types of injuries - and of course everyone had a debris injury,” said Molana-Allen.
Hospitals were already struggling with supplies due to the economic crisis.Hospitals were already struggling with supplies due to the economic crisis.
At first, many people assumed the blast was some kind of attack, only to later hear it was caused by huge stores of ammonium nitrate. “Once people started to realise that this seemingly was the result of government neglect - obviously this is a country that has had months’ worth of protests about government ineptitude - the level to which rage and sorrow now is spreading through the people, it’s indescribable,” she said.At first, many people assumed the blast was some kind of attack, only to later hear it was caused by huge stores of ammonium nitrate. “Once people started to realise that this seemingly was the result of government neglect - obviously this is a country that has had months’ worth of protests about government ineptitude - the level to which rage and sorrow now is spreading through the people, it’s indescribable,” she said.
“The rage is palpable,” added Molana-Allen.“The rage is palpable,” added Molana-Allen.
Hi, Rebecca Ratcliffe here. I’m taking over from my colleague Helen Sullivan.Hi, Rebecca Ratcliffe here. I’m taking over from my colleague Helen Sullivan.
It’s now 6.25am in Beirut, where 78 people were killed and 4,000 injured in a devastating explosion yesterday. It is feared the number of fatalities is likely to increase.It’s now 6.25am in Beirut, where 78 people were killed and 4,000 injured in a devastating explosion yesterday. It is feared the number of fatalities is likely to increase.
If you are following from Beirut, please do get in touch with any information or footage that you feel we should cover. My DMs are open on Twitter, or you can email rebecca.ratcliffe@theguardian.com.If you are following from Beirut, please do get in touch with any information or footage that you feel we should cover. My DMs are open on Twitter, or you can email rebecca.ratcliffe@theguardian.com.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan. It is now dawn in Lebanon. Many will not have slept at all, some will wake up soon and remember what has happened. My heartfelt condolences to each of them.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan. It is now dawn in Lebanon. Many will not have slept at all, some will wake up soon and remember what has happened. My heartfelt condolences to each of them.
My colleague Rebecca Ratcliffe will be bringing you the latest for the next few hours.My colleague Rebecca Ratcliffe will be bringing you the latest for the next few hours.
Here are some more photographs from the city – a common refrain on Twitter is that this blast has, in a matter of seconds, caused the same amount of destruction as years and years of war:Here are some more photographs from the city – a common refrain on Twitter is that this blast has, in a matter of seconds, caused the same amount of destruction as years and years of war:
On Tuesday evening in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut, two huge explosions in its port sent an enormous blast wave across the city, killing at least 78 people and injuring thousands more. The scale of the damage is huge, with buildings miles from the port lying in ruin. The blast comes at a terrible time for Lebanon, which is on the brink of financial collapse.On Tuesday evening in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut, two huge explosions in its port sent an enormous blast wave across the city, killing at least 78 people and injuring thousands more. The scale of the damage is huge, with buildings miles from the port lying in ruin. The blast comes at a terrible time for Lebanon, which is on the brink of financial collapse.
Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, said the cause of the explosion was 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a common industrial chemical used in fertiliser and as a component in mining explosives. Diab declared a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion. The warehouse that authorities claim was the site of the blast had been the subject of warnings going back to 2014, he said. He would “reveal facts” about the warehouse soon, he said, but did not want to pre-empt an investigation.Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, said the cause of the explosion was 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a common industrial chemical used in fertiliser and as a component in mining explosives. Diab declared a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion. The warehouse that authorities claim was the site of the blast had been the subject of warnings going back to 2014, he said. He would “reveal facts” about the warehouse soon, he said, but did not want to pre-empt an investigation.
Hospitals that are already dealing with the coronavirus crisis were quickly filled beyond capacity, and issued pleas for blood donations and generators to keep the lights going.Hospitals that are already dealing with the coronavirus crisis were quickly filled beyond capacity, and issued pleas for blood donations and generators to keep the lights going.
Donald Trump has said the deadly explosion in Beirut “looks like a terrible attack”, contradicting the information coming from Lebanese officials. Asked whether he was “confident” the Lebanon explosion was “an attack and not an accident”, he told reporters: “Well it would seem like it, based on the explosion.” The president added he had met US generals and said they “seem to feel that it was”.Donald Trump has said the deadly explosion in Beirut “looks like a terrible attack”, contradicting the information coming from Lebanese officials. Asked whether he was “confident” the Lebanon explosion was “an attack and not an accident”, he told reporters: “Well it would seem like it, based on the explosion.” The president added he had met US generals and said they “seem to feel that it was”.
Lebanon’s Supreme Defence Council recommended declaring Beirut a disaster-stricken city, declaring a two-week state of emergency in the capital and handing over security responsibilities to military authorities. A council statement, read live on television, said President Michel Aoun has decided to release 100bn Lebanese pounds in emergency allocations from the 2020 budget.Lebanon’s Supreme Defence Council recommended declaring Beirut a disaster-stricken city, declaring a two-week state of emergency in the capital and handing over security responsibilities to military authorities. A council statement, read live on television, said President Michel Aoun has decided to release 100bn Lebanese pounds in emergency allocations from the 2020 budget.
Lebanon’s economy minister, Raoul Nehme, said the wheat in Beirut’s port granaries cannot be used and that the ministry lost track of seven employees in the granaries. The minister also told local media that Lebanon will import wheat and added that the country currently had enough wheat until imports resume.Lebanon’s economy minister, Raoul Nehme, said the wheat in Beirut’s port granaries cannot be used and that the ministry lost track of seven employees in the granaries. The minister also told local media that Lebanon will import wheat and added that the country currently had enough wheat until imports resume.
There was confusion among residents over whether the air had become dangerous to breathe. The US embassy in Beirut released a statement advising people to wear masks and stay indoors, following “reports of toxic gases released in the explosion”. Many people’s windows where shattered by the blast making it difficult to avoid breathing the air outside. The American University of Beirut’s aerosol research lab’s indicators showed air quality levels had returned to “good” by 7pm, however, after showing “moderate” levels of particulate matter an hour earlier.There was confusion among residents over whether the air had become dangerous to breathe. The US embassy in Beirut released a statement advising people to wear masks and stay indoors, following “reports of toxic gases released in the explosion”. Many people’s windows where shattered by the blast making it difficult to avoid breathing the air outside. The American University of Beirut’s aerosol research lab’s indicators showed air quality levels had returned to “good” by 7pm, however, after showing “moderate” levels of particulate matter an hour earlier.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres sent his condolences, saying, he “wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, including several United Nations personnel working in Lebanon.” At least 48 UN staff were injured in the blast, along with 27 of their dependents.United Nations Secretary General António Guterres sent his condolences, saying, he “wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, including several United Nations personnel working in Lebanon.” At least 48 UN staff were injured in the blast, along with 27 of their dependents.
Governments worldwide have offered support, including the UK, France, Australia, the US, Canada and Israel.Governments worldwide have offered support, including the UK, France, Australia, the US, Canada and Israel.
An Australian citizen has been confirmed dead. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “It’s my deep regret to inform you that one Australian has been killed in this horrific blast” but did not reveal further details.An Australian citizen has been confirmed dead. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “It’s my deep regret to inform you that one Australian has been killed in this horrific blast” but did not reveal further details.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson offered the UK’s support and said that there were British nationals affected by the incident.UK prime minister Boris Johnson offered the UK’s support and said that there were British nationals affected by the incident.
Lebanon has been crippled by a number of long-running, seemingly intractable crises for decades. The country endured a devastating 15-year civil war and has often been caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts.Lebanon has been crippled by a number of long-running, seemingly intractable crises for decades. The country endured a devastating 15-year civil war and has often been caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts.
But the deadly explosion that ripped through the Beirut port on Tuesday – which comes amid the coronavirus pandemic and an economic meltdown – may be the calamity that brings a beleaguered nation to its knees:But the deadly explosion that ripped through the Beirut port on Tuesday – which comes amid the coronavirus pandemic and an economic meltdown – may be the calamity that brings a beleaguered nation to its knees:
New York Times middle east correspondent (and all-round champion and friend) Vivian Yee has written a gut-wrenching account of the blast, despite having multiple injuries and several stapled in her forehead:New York Times middle east correspondent (and all-round champion and friend) Vivian Yee has written a gut-wrenching account of the blast, despite having multiple injuries and several stapled in her forehead:
More on the hospitals – the Lebanese Red Cross has pleaded with people to donate blood:More on the hospitals – the Lebanese Red Cross has pleaded with people to donate blood:
Here is our full explainer on what ammonium nitrate is:Here is our full explainer on what ammonium nitrate is:
Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, said 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded after lying unsecured in a warehouse for six years, tallying with reports that a ship carrying a similar quantity of the chemical had unloaded its cargo at the port in 2013. It remains unclear what caused the chemical to ignite.Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, said 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded after lying unsecured in a warehouse for six years, tallying with reports that a ship carrying a similar quantity of the chemical had unloaded its cargo at the port in 2013. It remains unclear what caused the chemical to ignite.
Ammonium nitrate is a common industrial chemical used mainly for fertiliser because it is a good source of nitrogen for plants. It is also one of the main components in mining explosives.Ammonium nitrate is a common industrial chemical used mainly for fertiliser because it is a good source of nitrogen for plants. It is also one of the main components in mining explosives.
Beirut blast: what we know so farRead moreBeirut blast: what we know so farRead more
It is not explosive on its own, rather it is an oxidiser, drawing oxygen to a fire – and therefore making it much more intense, according to Gabriel da Silva, a senior lecturer in chemical engineering at the University of Melbourne:It is not explosive on its own, rather it is an oxidiser, drawing oxygen to a fire – and therefore making it much more intense, according to Gabriel da Silva, a senior lecturer in chemical engineering at the University of Melbourne:
Here is another angle of the explosion, in a video taken from the top of the hotel Le Gray. The empty lot seen in the video was in recent months the site of mass protests against the failing economy – it leads onto Lebanon’s Martyr’s Square:Here is another angle of the explosion, in a video taken from the top of the hotel Le Gray. The empty lot seen in the video was in recent months the site of mass protests against the failing economy – it leads onto Lebanon’s Martyr’s Square: