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Beirut explosion: over half the city damaged in blast that killed at least 100 and wounded 4,000 – live updates Beirut explosion: over half the city damaged in blast that killed at least 100 and wounded 4,000 – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Lebanon PM Hassan Diab appeals for international assistance as search continues for missing in devastated cityLebanon PM Hassan Diab appeals for international assistance as search continues for missing in devastated city
This video, which we have not verified, is being shared on Twitter. It is said to be of a protester attacking today the car of the former Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri.
Hariri resigned last year following mass protests demanding an end to rampant corruption and mismanagement of the country. Tuesday’s blast has compounded anger from Lebanese people focused on the ruling classes.
The location is clearly the site of the grave of Hariri’s late father, Rafik, who was killed by a truck bomb fifteen years ago.
The French presidency has just confirmed that Emmanuel Macron will travel to Beirut tomorrow (Thursday).
Pallets of aid are being loaded in Dubai to be flown to Beirut:
Separately, Germany said it is ready to send a team of 47 search-and-rescue experts. The country’s embassy was damaged in the blast.
France, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait are also shipping supplies. French emergency workers include members of a special unit with chemical training to intervene in damaged industrial sites.
Here is another Instagram account set up to help. This one is filled with posts from people around Lebanon who are offering up their homes and businesses for people to stay.Here is another Instagram account set up to help. This one is filled with posts from people around Lebanon who are offering up their homes and businesses for people to stay.
It seems to be anything from studio apartments to empty schools to entire hotels.It seems to be anything from studio apartments to empty schools to entire hotels.
Bangladesh’s military has said at least 21 Bangladesh Navy members of the multinational United Nation’s force in Beirut were injured. One of the injured is in critical condition and had been admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center, according to the Associated Press. Bangladesh’s military has said at least 21 Bangladesh navy members of the multinational United Nations force in Beirut were injured. One of the injured is in critical condition and had been admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Italy’s defence minister, Lorenzo Guerini, said one soldier assigned to the country’s contingent in Lebanon is injured.Meanwhile, Italy’s defence minister, Lorenzo Guerini, said one soldier assigned to the country’s contingent in Lebanon is injured.
The UN operates peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, as well as units to prevent the movement of illegal arms.The UN operates peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, as well as units to prevent the movement of illegal arms.
The first satellite image of the crater:The first satellite image of the crater:
The tweeter says the image is from the company, Planet.The tweeter says the image is from the company, Planet.
An Instagram account has been set up to locate people who went missing in Beirut.An Instagram account has been set up to locate people who went missing in Beirut.
The account is also posting lists of people admitted to various hospitals in the city, to help people find their loved ones.The account is also posting lists of people admitted to various hospitals in the city, to help people find their loved ones.
Hello, Oliver Holmes here again, taking over from Rebecca.Hello, Oliver Holmes here again, taking over from Rebecca.
AFP is quoting the governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, as saying the damage from the port blast has extended over half of the city, with the cost of damage likely above $3 billion. AFP is quoting the governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, as saying the damage from the port blast has extended over half of the city, with the cost of damage likely above $3bn.
He has also upped his previous estimate of the number of “homeless” to 300,000, which is close to the total population of the central part of the capital. Again, we are not sure if he is talking about homelessness or people whose homes have been damaged.He has also upped his previous estimate of the number of “homeless” to 300,000, which is close to the total population of the central part of the capital. Again, we are not sure if he is talking about homelessness or people whose homes have been damaged.
Beirut awoke to scenes of devastation this morning, following two huge explosions in its port which sent a blast wave across the city, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000.Beirut awoke to scenes of devastation this morning, following two huge explosions in its port which sent a blast wave across the city, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000.
Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.” He earlier 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, and promised accountability.Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.” He earlier 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, and promised accountability.
Rescuers have continued to search for victims who remain trapped under rubble. In one video shared on Wednesday, a search team can be heard clapping and cheering as a survivor is pulled to safety.Rescuers have continued to search for victims who remain trapped under rubble. In one video shared on Wednesday, a search team can be heard clapping and cheering as a survivor is pulled to safety.
Residents, desperate to reach their loved ones, are sharing pictures of missing relatives, as well as phone numbers online. Throughout the night, TV and radio presenters in Lebanon read the names of the missing or wounded.Residents, desperate to reach their loved ones, are sharing pictures of missing relatives, as well as phone numbers online. Throughout the night, TV and radio presenters in Lebanon read the names of the missing or wounded.
Hospitals, several of which were damaged in the blast, have been inundated with patients. In Gemmayze district, medical teams were forced to triage patients in a car park, while the Red Cross said it is coordinating with the Lebanese health ministry to set up morgues.Hospitals, several of which were damaged in the blast, have been inundated with patients. In Gemmayze district, medical teams were forced to triage patients in a car park, while the Red Cross said it is coordinating with the Lebanese health ministry to set up morgues.
Aerial images from the scene of the explosion illustrate the impact of the blast, which destroyed crucial silos that contained around 85% of the country’s grain. 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.Aerial images from the scene of the explosion illustrate the impact of the blast, which destroyed crucial silos that contained around 85% of the country’s grain. 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.
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.
MTV says that a team of its journalists have been arrested while out reporting on the aftermath of yesterday’s explosion.MTV says that a team of its journalists have been arrested while out reporting on the aftermath of yesterday’s explosion.
Lebanon is considered one of the more liberal media environments in the region, though reporters have warned that the space for the free press is shrinking.Lebanon is considered one of the more liberal media environments in the region, though reporters have warned that the space for the free press is shrinking.
Some more aerial imagery from the scene of the explosion, which has destroyed silos containing 85% of the country’s grain, as well as a warehouse containing medical supplies.
The Red Cross is coordinating with the Lebanese health ministry to set up morgues because hospitals have become so overwhelmed, George Kettani, the head of Lebanon’s Red Cross, has told Reuters.
In the aftermath of the blast, hospitals asked people with non-life-threatening injuries to stay at home because they were unable to cope with a huge influx in patients. Several hospitals were damaged in the explosion. In Gemmayze district, medical staff have been forced to assess patients in a car park, while others have reported shortages of key medicines including antibiotics.
Witnesses in Cyprus, barely 100 miles from Beirut, say the blast was not only heard but felt. Local media reported Cypriot authorities being placed on alert within minutes of the explosion with many comparing it to a similar blast in southern Cyprus nine years ago at a munitions dump in the naval base of Mari.
Described at the time as the fifth largest accidental explosion on the planet, the blast left 12 dead including the commander of the country’s navy. Among the highly explosive material exposed to the summer heat in open storage at the base were artillery shells and compressed gunpowder. In the shockwave emitted by the blast the island’s power plant was instantly knocked out.
The EU’s most easterly state, Cyprus offered to send medical teams to the neighbouring country if required. Earlier today, the foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides said, if necessary, Cypriot hospitals were also “ready to accept injured people for treatment”. A diplomat in the Cypriot embassy in Beirut was wounded in the blast, according to the island’s news agency, with the building and ambassadorial residence sustaining heavy damage as a result of the explosion.
A moment of hope and celebration in Beirut. People cheer and clap as a survivor is rescued from rubble:
There are differing reports about the scale of the impact across Beirut. Some reports, based on statements from Beirut governor Marwan Abboud, suggest hundreds have lost their homes, while MTV has reported as 250,000 people have been left homeless.
It is not clear if these higher estimates refer to people whose homes have been damaged by the impact of the explosion. This post has been updated to reflect this lack of clarity.
Rescue workers are continuing to search through rubble at the port, according to the civil defence director general, Raymond Khattar, who said it is believed people remain trapped.
There is concern that the damaged structures are unstable and at risk of collapsing, MTV reported. So far, six bodies have been recovered from inside the port and three from the sea. Many more remain missing.
Sources told MTV that members of the army, intelligence, and Beirut fire brigade were present at the scene when the explosion happened.
Britain is assessing what support to provide to Lebanon, according to junior education minister Nick Gibb.“The government is working urgently this morning on what we can do to help the Lebanese government with technical support and of course working with our allies to provide financial assistance,” Gibb told BBC radio.
“There will be further announcements this morning and later today about what support we will be providing to Lebanon,” he said.
My colleague Martin Chulov has sent the following update from Beirut:
Beirut has awoken to a new sense of vulnerability this morning the day after one of the most shocking events to have struck the city.
The sound of mountains of glass being swept from balconies and cascading on to roads was a soundtrack to an eerie, fitful night. Ambulances wailed. Building guards sat silently in the dark on plastic chairs. There was nothing much to safeguard anymore, nor much of a will to do so.
Tired emergency workers trudged through the pre-dawn gloom, some holding sledgehammers, others carrying water. A car park in the Gemmayze district had been turned into a triage centre. Orange plastic stretchers, slick with blood, were lined up from one side to the other.
As a ravaged city slowly picks up the pieces, the overwhelming question – how could this happen? – is being asked in ever more strident terms. If this was, as is now increasingly suspected, a catastrophic industrial accident stemming from breathtaking negligence, who will pay the price?
Politicians, already at odds with vast parts of Lebanese society, have pledged to fix up to a million or more windows shattered in the blast. With their credibility at an all-time low among voters ravaged by an economic implosion and a coronavirus lockdown that is amplifying a nationwide collapse, few seem inclined to believe their leaders.
“If any of them will hold each other to account, I might change my mind,” said a shop worker, Khaled Qudsi. “But you can bet your life that if any of their commercial interests were tied up to this accident, it will be swept away and blamed on a straw man.”
Several countries are dispatching emergency workers and medical staff to help Lebanon recover from the disaster.
France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tonnes of aid. French president Emmanuel Macron’s office says the aid should allow for the treatment of about 500 victims. French peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, a former French protectorate, have been helping since the explosions, Macron’s office said.
Jordan says a military field hospital including all necessary personnel will be dispatched, according to the royal court, while Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded.
Czech interior minister Jan Hamáček says Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut. Denmark also says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities with all means at its disposal.
Here are some more aerial images showing the scene of the explosion.
The blast destroyed crucial grain silos at the port, which are thought to have stored around 85% of the country’s grain.
Lebanon’s state-run national news agency quoted Raoul Nehme, the minister of economy and trade, as saying that all the wheat stored at the facility had been contaminated and couldn’t be used. However, he insisted Lebanon had enough wheat for its immediate needs. Nehme said Lebanon also would import more wheat.
Lebanon depends on imports for about 80% of its wheat supply, according to Associated Press.