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| Beirut blast: what we know so far | Beirut blast: what we know so far |
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| An explosion in the port of Lebanon’s capital on Tuesday devastated the city, with a national day of mourning declared for Wednesday | An explosion in the port of Lebanon’s capital on Tuesday devastated the city, with a national day of mourning declared for Wednesday |
| 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 135 people and injuring around 5,000 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. | |
| Up to 300,000 people had suffered damage to their homes, leaving some uninhabitable. Dozens were still missing, feared dead. | Up to 300,000 people had suffered damage to their homes, leaving some uninhabitable. Dozens were still missing, feared dead. |
| Hospitals that were 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 were already dealing with the coronavirus crisis were quickly filled beyond capacity, and issued pleas for blood donations and generators to keep the lights going. |
| Lebanon’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, said the cause of the explosion was 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. 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 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. 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. |
| Beirut’s governor, Marwan Abboud, said damage from the blast extended over half of Beirut, with the cost of damage likely above $3bn | Beirut’s governor, Marwan Abboud, said damage from the blast extended over half of Beirut, with the cost of damage likely above $3bn |
| On Wednesday Donald Trump continued to suggest that the explosion might have been a deliberate attack, even as officials in Lebanon and his own defence secretary, Mark Esper, said most believed it was an accident. But Esper added that the Pentagon was still gathering information about the explosion. On Tuesday Trump had said the explosion “looks like a terrible attack”. | On Wednesday Donald Trump continued to suggest that the explosion might have been a deliberate attack, even as officials in Lebanon and his own defence secretary, Mark Esper, said most believed it was an accident. But Esper added that the Pentagon was still gathering information about the explosion. On Tuesday Trump had said the explosion “looks like a terrible attack”. |
| Lebanon’s national cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency on Wednesday, effectively giving the military full powers in the capital. | Lebanon’s national cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency on Wednesday, effectively giving the military full powers in the capital. |
| The Lebanese economy minister, Raoul Nehme, said damage to the silos had left the country with less than a month’s grain reserves, but claimed there was no risk of food shortage. “There is no bread or flour crisis,” he said. “We have enough inventory and boats on their way to cover the needs of Lebanon on the long term.” | The Lebanese economy minister, Raoul Nehme, said damage to the silos had left the country with less than a month’s grain reserves, but claimed there was no risk of food shortage. “There is no bread or flour crisis,” he said. “We have enough inventory and boats on their way to cover the needs of Lebanon on the long term.” |
| 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. |
| 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. |