Mushroom cloud above harbour
Huge blast rocks Beirut, leaves ‘at least 80 dead’
My brother sent me this, we live 10 KM away from the explosion site and the glass of our bldgs got shattered. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/MPByBc673m
— Abir Ghattas (@AbirGhattas) August 4, 2020
A huge blast rocked Beirut today, leaving at least 80 people dead with about 4,000 injured, according to officials.
Footage of the explosion shows an enormous mushroom cloud rising above the city near the harbour, with many buildings and vehicles severely damaged.
Al Mayadeen television said hundreds were wounded as emergency services attempted to deal with what resembled a warzone of shattered streets.
Officials appear to be saying the blast was caused by huge volumes of ammonium nitrate being stored at the port.
The country’s prime minister has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning.
Residents described the blast as feeling like an earthquake while hospitals, already under pressure from the Covid-19 crisis, were overwhelmed by casualties.
A mushroom cloud rose over the harbour
Vehicles were wrecked in the explosion
Incredible close in view of the explosion in Beirut today#Lebanon #Beirut pic.twitter.com/5nhD4pZzMj
— CNW (@ConflictsW) August 4, 2020
#Lebanon: Incredible CCTV footage from inside a shop in #Beirut shows the impact of the explosion.pic.twitter.com/ZGpFjaa4km
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) August 4, 2020
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