This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-huge-blast-port-lebanon-capital

The article has changed 53 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 36 Version 37
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 city EU gathers emergency workers and equipment from member states as Lebanon PM Hassan Diab appeals for international assistance
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. From my colleague, Emma:
Amid the horror, there was also incredible humanity on display, with the wounded recounting how they were helped to hospitals by complete strangers, and those whose homes survived offering hundreds of thousands of estimated homeless a place to stay.
Videos shared on social media also showed parents and carers trying to physically shelter small children from the blast with their bodies.
New York Times reporter Vivian Yee was injured in the blast, but managed to write a powerful account of the hours that followed. She staggered bleeding into the street where a man passing on a motorbike offered to take her to hospital. It was full, but another stranger bandaged her worst wound, and a third helped clean the others.
“The Lebanese who would help me in the hours to come had the heartbreaking steadiness that comes from having lived through countless previous disasters. Nearly all of them were strangers, yet they treated me like a friend,” she wrote.
The European Union is activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc to help Beirut, according to the Associated Press.
The EU commission says the plan is to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands are taking part and others are expected to join.
The EU’s satellite mapping system will help Lebanese authorities to establish the extent of the damage. Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic says the EU “shares the shock and sadness” of Beirut residents and stands ready to provide extra help.
Looking ahead, there are concerns around Lebanon’s import-dependent food supply. In photos of the aftermath, you will be able to see destroyed wheat silos. Those accounted for up to 85% of the country’s grain, according to estimates, although they were reportedly nearly empty during the blast.
Reuters is quoting the economy minister, Raoul Nehme, as saying the nation has less than a month’s reserves of the grain but still with enough flour to avoid a crisis. the economy minister said on Wednesday.
Minister of Public Works Michel Najjar has said the country will now use the northern city of Tripoli as Lebanon’s main shipping port. It is currently operating at less than half of its total capacity.
This video, which we have not verified, is being shared on Twitter. It is said to be of a protester attacking the car of the former Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri, earlier today.
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.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 location is the site of the grave of Hariri’s late father, Rafik, who was killed by a truck bomb 15 years ago.
The French presidency has just confirmed that Emmanuel Macron will travel to Beirut tomorrow (Thursday).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: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.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.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 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.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 $3bn.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.