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Beirut explosion: at least 100 dead and 4,000 wounded – live updates Beirut explosion: at least 100 dead and 4,000 wounded – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Interior minister says ammonium nitrate likely caused at least one explosion amid reports hospitals too damaged to treat patients Lebanon prime minister says ‘we are witnessing a real catastrophe’ as search continues for missing
Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.”
He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut’s port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause, the Associated Press has reported.Smoke was still rising from the port this morning. Major downtown streets are littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades blown out.
Here’s some analysis from my colleague Tom Phillips, former China correspondent, who recalls the devastating 2015 warehouse disaster in Tianjin, which also involved ammonium nitrate:
The images coming out of Beirut are horribly reminiscent of the destruction inflicted on the Chinese city of Tianjin by a 2015 warehouse disaster that killed more than 170 people and left hundreds injured.Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, has blamed today’s catastrophe on the explosion of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which can be used to make fertilisers and explosives. The same highly explosive compound was also involved in Tianjin, a major port city 70 miles south-east of the capital, Beijing.On the night of 12 August 2015, a series of cataclysmic detonations rocked an area of warehouses where large quantities of hazardous chemicals, also including sodium cyanide and potassium nitrate, were being stored, in some cases illegally. Chinese authorities later claimed the first explosion had been triggered after the heat of summer caused a highly flammable compound called nitrocellulose to spontaneously ignite. Nearby stores of ammonium nitrate then caught fire and exploded. Firefighters who rushed to the scene reportedly attempted to extinguish the initial blaze with water – only to inadvertently exacerbate the situation because of the presence of hazardous flammable chemicals. The majority of those killed were firefighters, including at least one teenager. Such was the force of the Tianjin explosions that they registered as small earthquakes. Then, as now, witnesses filmed apocalyptic footage showing the scale of the inferno.
The impact of yesterday’s explosion is clear from this image, which shows the aftermath at the site of the blast.The impact of yesterday’s explosion is clear from this image, which shows the aftermath at the site of the blast.
Hospitals in Lebanon were already struggling with supplies due to the economic crisis. It is now being reported that medical goods, which were being held near to the site of the blast, were destroyed in the explosion.Hospitals in Lebanon were already struggling with supplies due to the economic crisis. It is now being reported that medical goods, which were being held near to the site of the blast, were destroyed in the explosion.
A Red Cross official is quoted by the Daily Star stating that the death toll rose overnight to at least 100, and that more than 4,000 people are wounded.A Red Cross official is quoted by the Daily Star stating that the death toll rose overnight to at least 100, and that more than 4,000 people are wounded.
Beirut governor Marwan Abboud later told a local radio station that more than 100 people remain missing, including several firefighters, the newspaper reports.Beirut governor Marwan Abboud later told a local radio station that more than 100 people remain missing, including several firefighters, the newspaper reports.
“Beirut has never gone through what it went through yesterday,” Abboud said.“Beirut has never gone through what it went through yesterday,” Abboud said.
As is common after major disasters, there has been some confusion over the death toll. A named Red Cross official was earlier quoted by local broadcasters saying that the number of fatalities was expected to reach 100. However, it now appears that the number of deaths has passed this grim milestone.As is common after major disasters, there has been some confusion over the death toll. A named Red Cross official was earlier quoted by local broadcasters saying that the number of fatalities was expected to reach 100. However, it now appears that the number of deaths has passed this grim milestone.
Today’s edition of al-Akhbar newspaper, which shows a photo of a destroyed port with the words: The Great Collapse.Today’s edition of al-Akhbar newspaper, which shows a photo of a destroyed port with the words: The Great Collapse.
From Associated Press’s senior producer, Dalal Mawad:From Associated Press’s senior producer, Dalal Mawad:
Residents, desperate to reach their loved ones, are sharing pictures of missing relatives, as well as phone numbers online. On Instagram, a page, locatevictimsbeirut, has also been set up to try to locate people in the aftermath of the blast.Residents, desperate to reach their loved ones, are sharing pictures of missing relatives, as well as phone numbers online. On Instagram, a page, locatevictimsbeirut, has also been set up to try to locate people in the aftermath of the blast.
Rappler news in the Philippines reports that 12 Filipinos are missing in Beirut.Rappler news in the Philippines reports that 12 Filipinos are missing in Beirut.
The head of the Lebanese Red Cross, George Kettana, has told Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International that there are over 4,000 people injured, some in a serious condition, and that the number of fatalities may reach 100. Some victims are still trapped under rubble, Kettana said.The head of the Lebanese Red Cross, George Kettana, has told Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International that there are over 4,000 people injured, some in a serious condition, and that the number of fatalities may reach 100. Some victims are still trapped under rubble, Kettana said.
This has not been confirmed by officials.This has not been confirmed by officials.
Rescue teams have worked through the night into Wednesday morning, in the hope of recovering survivors. “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,” the health minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters.
Officials expect the death toll will rise further. So far, 78 are confirmed to have died.
Yesterday, relatives of the missing scrambled at the port for news of their loved ones, AFP reported:
This image, taken by a drone, shows a destroyed events and exhibition hall near the scene of an explosion. Across the city, shop and apartment windows were blown out and streets covered with broken glass.
Cypriot foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides has offered to send medical aid to neighbouring Lebanon. He said the Cypriot embassy in Beirut, which was closed at the time of the blast, was extensively damaged.
“Cyprus is ready to accept injured persons for treatment and send medical teams if required,” Christodoulides told state broadcaster CyBC.
Tuesday’s explosion was heard throughout Cyprus, which lies about 100 miles (160km) away.
There are reports that six medical workers are among those who were killed in the explosion, though it is not possible to confirm this. Several hospitals were damaged in the blast, with parts of their ceilings collapsing, windows shattered and electricity cut off.
Throughout the night, TV and radio presenters in Lebanon read the names of the missing or wounded, reports Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press correspondent. Many residents, desperate to reach family members, are sharing online messages with phone numbers and the names of their relatives.
In Beirut, residents are waking up to scenes of devastation this morning. The scale of the disaster is immense.
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.”
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.