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Beirut explosion: more than 70 dead and 3,700 wounded, says Lebanon health ministry – live updates Beirut explosion: more than 70 dead and 3,700 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
Lebanon’s economy minister, Raoul Nehme, told local media on Tuesday that the wheat in Beirut’s port granaries can not be used and that the ministry lost track of seven employees in the granaries, Reuters reports. The minister also told local media that Lebanon will import wheat and added that the country currently has enough wheat until they begin importing it.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has sent his condolences and says the UN is actively assisting in the response:
Here is another video of the moment the explosion occurred, posted by AFP journalist Rayane Moussalem:
A ship belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the UN’s peacekeeping mission to the country, has been damaged in the blast, AFP reports. Some of its personnel are injured.
Another ship moored off the port was on fire, too, according to AFP.
An Australian has been confirmed dead in the explosion, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports, citing the Prime Minister:
Earlier today, Morrison tweeted his condolences:
From Reuters:From Reuters:
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said a state of emergency should be declared in Beirut for two weeks after a massive explosion in the capital on Tuesday, and called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday.Aoun, in remarks published on the Presidency Twitter account, said it was “unacceptable” that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored in a warehouse for six years without safety measures and vowed that those responsible would face the “harshest punishments”.Lebanese President Michel Aoun said a state of emergency should be declared in Beirut for two weeks after a massive explosion in the capital on Tuesday, and called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday.Aoun, in remarks published on the Presidency Twitter account, said it was “unacceptable” that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored in a warehouse for six years without safety measures and vowed that those responsible would face the “harshest punishments”.
There are reports that up to 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored at Beirut’s port may have exploded today.There are reports that up to 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored at Beirut’s port may have exploded today.
Ammonium nitrate is used widely in both fertilisers and explosives.Ammonium nitrate is used widely in both fertilisers and explosives.
This, from an Australian state government workplace health and safety website explains why it is so explosive:This, from an Australian state government workplace health and safety website explains why it is so explosive:
The death toll from the explosions in Beirut has climbed to 73, according to AFP, citing the Lebanese Health Ministry:The death toll from the explosions in Beirut has climbed to 73, according to AFP, citing the Lebanese Health Ministry:
The US Embassy in Beirut has released a statement advising that people wear masks and stay indoors, following “reports of toxic gases released in the explosion”.:The US Embassy in Beirut has released a statement advising that people wear masks and stay indoors, following “reports of toxic gases released in the explosion”.:
The cause of the explosion is still unconfirmed, but Lebanon’s interior minister has said stores of ammonium nitrate likely caused the blast.The cause of the explosion is still unconfirmed, but Lebanon’s interior minister has said stores of ammonium nitrate likely caused the blast.
If that is the case, there are some parallels with the 2015 Tianjin explosion in China, which saw a series of massive explosions shatter windows and tear the facades off of buildings.If that is the case, there are some parallels with the 2015 Tianjin explosion in China, which saw a series of massive explosions shatter windows and tear the facades off of buildings.
Here are photographs taken by the Washington Post’s Sarah Dadouch, from the first apartment I lived in in Beirut, on Gouraud Street in the neighbourhood of Gemmayzeh:Here are photographs taken by the Washington Post’s Sarah Dadouch, from the first apartment I lived in in Beirut, on Gouraud Street in the neighbourhood of Gemmayzeh:
Before the coronavirus pandemic, even on a Tuesday night Gouraud was always one of the most vibrant streets in the city:Before the coronavirus pandemic, even on a Tuesday night Gouraud was always one of the most vibrant streets in the city:
Here is our video footage of the explosion.Here is our video footage of the explosion.
If you are just joining us: two large explosions have devastated Lebanon’s capital city, Beirut. Footage taken in the immediate aftermath shows windows blown out, streets littered with debris and cars upturned by the strength of the blasts. The impact was reportedly felt 200km away in Cyprus:If you are just joining us: two large explosions have devastated Lebanon’s capital city, Beirut. Footage taken in the immediate aftermath shows windows blown out, streets littered with debris and cars upturned by the strength of the blasts. The impact was reportedly felt 200km away in Cyprus:
In terms of what the damage done to Beirut’s port will mean for the country, it is worth remembering that Lebanon has two land borders – one is Syria, and the other is Israel, with which Lebanon is technically at war.In terms of what the damage done to Beirut’s port will mean for the country, it is worth remembering that Lebanon has two land borders – one is Syria, and the other is Israel, with which Lebanon is technically at war.
Lebanon also relies heavily on imports for its food supply. The economic crisis has already seen food prices rise by up to 80% in recent months.Lebanon also relies heavily on imports for its food supply. The economic crisis has already seen food prices rise by up to 80% in recent months.
On Twitter Tobias Schneider, a researcher at the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin, says that Lebanon relies on imports for 90% of its wheat consumption (wheat is used to make the country’s staple flatbreads), most of which enters through a single terminal:On Twitter Tobias Schneider, a researcher at the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin, says that Lebanon relies on imports for 90% of its wheat consumption (wheat is used to make the country’s staple flatbreads), most of which enters through a single terminal:
Hi everyone, my name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the latest from Beirut for the next while. As Oliver mentioned, I lived in Lebanon until March this year. My thoughts are with everyone there.Hi everyone, my name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the latest from Beirut for the next while. As Oliver mentioned, I lived in Lebanon until March this year. My thoughts are with everyone there.
If you are following along from there, please do send footage, news, tips and anything else you feel may be relevant to me on Twitter @helenrsullivan (DMs are open) or via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.If you are following along from there, please do send footage, news, tips and anything else you feel may be relevant to me on Twitter @helenrsullivan (DMs are open) or via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
I’m going to hand over now to my colleague, Helen Sullivan. She also lived in Beirut, and just left in March.
Thank you for reading, and if you’re in Beirut, Salamtik.
Two huge explosions have rocked Lebanon’s capital city, killing at least 50 people, injuring thousands more, and sending an enormous blast wave across the city that shattered windows, knocked down doors and shook buildings.
The scale of the damage caused by the blast is huge, with buildings miles from the port explosion in ruin.
While the cause is still unconfirmed, Lebanon’s interior minister said stores of ammonium nitrate likely caused the explosion.
Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, has suggested a warehouse that authorities claim was the source of the blast had been the subject of warnings going back to 2014. He said he would “reveal facts” about the warehouse soon, but does not want to pre-empt an investigation.
Governments worldwide have offered support, including the UK, France, the US, Canada and Israel.
The blast comes at a terrible time for Lebanon, which is on the brink of financial collapse.
Beirut is a small city, but the scale of the blast is staggering.
I lived there between 2012 and 2015, and I’m hearing accounts of ruined apartments and wounded people miles away from the port blast. It is hard to capture that devastation in photos.
Ghada Alsharif, a reporter from the local Daily Star newspaper, has taken a video of their destroyed office.
Canada too:
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterates the UK’s offer of support.
Relatedly, a former Economist and Sunday Times journalist, Mile Amoore, says the British embassy in Beirut refused to add brother-in-law “to the list”, who he said is Syrian but married to Amoore’s British sister.
AFP news agency is citing the health ministry with the new figures
Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, has just addressed the country on television. He declared Wednesday a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion.
The warehouse that authorities claim was the source 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 does not want to pre-empt an investigation.
“I promise you this catastrophe will not pass without accountability. The people who are responsible will pay a price,” Diab said.
Israel, which is technically still at war with Lebanon, has also offered humanitarian assistance.
The country’s defence minister, Benny Gantz, said Israel approached the Lebanese government through “international security and diplomatic channels”.
Hamad Hasan just announced the updated toll in televised remarks.
World governments are starting to react, with Britain and France offering support.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, says aid is on its way.
Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, says London is ready to help.