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2020 Beirut explosion: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 33°54′04″N 35°31′05″E / 33.9010°N 35.5181°E / 33.9010; 35.5181
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=== International ===
=== International ===


* {{Flag|Cyprus}}: Foreign Minister [[Nikos Christodoulides]] announced via [[Twitter]] his country's immediate readiness to assist Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Christodoulides |first1=Nikos |title=Expressing our overwhelming and heartfelt sympathy |url=https://twitter.com/Christodulides/status/1290692283071963139 |website=Twitter |accessdate=4 August 2020}}</ref>
*{{flag|France}}: French [[Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs|Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs]] [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]] said that France is "ready to assist Lebanon".<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=Jean-Yves Le Drian on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/jy_ledrian/status/1290711607266476033|access-date=4 August 2020|website=Twitter|language=fr}}</ref>
*{{flag|France}}: French [[Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs|Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs]] [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]] said that France is "ready to assist Lebanon".<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=Jean-Yves Le Drian on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/jy_ledrian/status/1290711607266476033|access-date=4 August 2020|website=Twitter|language=fr}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Greece}}: The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] has officially announced readiness to support Lebanese authorities with any means at its disposal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foreign Ministry announcement on the explosions in Beirut |url=https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/foreign-ministry-announcement-on-the-explosions-in-beirut.html |website=Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs |accessdate=4 August 2020}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Greece}}: The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] has officially announced readiness to support Lebanese authorities with any means at its disposal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foreign Ministry announcement on the explosions in Beirut |url=https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/foreign-ministry-announcement-on-the-explosions-in-beirut.html |website=Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs |accessdate=4 August 2020}}</ref>

Revision as of 19:44, 4 August 2020

33°54′04″N 35°31′05″E / 33.9010°N 35.5181°E / 33.9010; 35.5181

2020 Beirut explosions
Port of Beirut in 2003
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1.5km
1mile
Port of Beirut
Port of Beirut
Date4 August 2020 (2020-08-04)
TimeApproximately 18:30 (second explosion) (EEST)
VenuePort of Beirut
LocationBeirut, Lebanon
Coordinates33°54′10.62″N 35°31′4.04″E / 33.9029500°N 35.5177889°E / 33.9029500; 35.5177889
TypeExplosion
Deaths50 [1]
Non-fatal injuries2.700

The 2020 Beirut explosions occurred in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, on 4 August 2020.[2][3][4] The explosions at the Port of Beirut left at least 30 people dead,[5] more than 2,500 injured,[5] and many more missing.[6]

Explosions

A first, smaller explosion sent a cloud of smoke above fires and created flashing lights that allegedly resembled fireworks.[4] The second, much more massive, explosion occured at about 18:30 local time which rocked central Beirut and sent a red cloud of dust into the air.[7] The second blast was felt in Northern Israel and in Cyprus, 240 kilometres (150 miles) away.[8][9].

Cause

The cause of the explosions was not immediately determined.[10] Lebanese state media initially reported the explosions took place at a fireworks warehouse, while others reported it was at an oil storage facility or a chemicals storage facility.[2][11][12] There were warehouses in the port that stored explosives and chemicals including nitrates, common components of fertilizers and explosives.[13] The Director General of Lebanese Public Security stated the explosion was caused by high-explosive material that was confiscated and stored for years.[14]

Damage

Footage showed cars overturned and steel-framed buildings stripped of their cladding.[15] In a statement, a member of staff at the Cyprus Embassy in Beirut said the building and the ambassador’s residence were damaged by the blast.[16] The Daily Star, a Lebanese newspaper, had its headquarters severely damaged with parts of the roof fallen in, blown-out windows and damaged furniture.[17] Witnesses said that homes as far as 10 kilometres (6 miles) away were damaged by the blast.[18]

Casualties

Following the explosions, hundreds were injured and many injured people were lying on the ground.[19][20] At least 10 deceased people were taken to hospitals.[13] Local news coverage and statements by the Lebanese health minister, Hamad Hassan, indicated many casualties are feared.[10] Hassan stated that hundreds of people were wounded,[10] and expected "many injuries and extensive damage".[2][21] Eyewitnesses told the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International that "at least dozens were hurt and hospitals were full of injured people."[12] The Lebanese Red Cross believes that those wounded or dead are among "hundreds of casualties." Marwan Abboud, the Governor of Beirut, stated that he arrived at the scene to search for firefighters who were on the site fighting the fire that broke out before the explosion.[22]

The secretary-general of the Kataeb political party, Nazar Najarian, was killed after being critically injured. According to Health Minister Hamad Hassant, at least 25 people have been killed and more than 2,500 injured.[23]

Relief operations

The Lebanese Red Cross said that every available ambulance from North Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon was being dispatched to Beirut to help patients.[4] Helicopters were used to extinguish a large fire after the explosions.[10] Dozens of injured people brought to nearby hospitals were unable to be received because of the damage to the hospitals.[12]

Facebook activated its crisis response service, letting people in the area mark themselves as safe.[24] Google devoted a special search for the Beirut explosion, devoting an alert and a map to the affected places.[citation needed]

Reactions

Domestic

Hassan Diab, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, announced that the day after the explosions would be a national day of mourning.[25] Michel Aoun, the President of Lebanon, stated that the government would provide support to displaced people and the Ministry of Health would meet the expense of treatment for the wounded.[17] The governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, broke into tears on television, calling it "a national catastrophe".[4]

Hezbollah denied any claims of responsibility.[26]

International

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Aug-04/509866-lebanons-health-minister-says-at-least-50-killed-2700-injured-in-beirut-blast.ashx
  2. ^ a b c "Massive explosion shakes Lebanese capital, buildings near Beirut port reportedly damaged". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Massive explosion shakes Lebanon's capital Beirut". San Francisco Chronicle. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Hubbard, Ben (4 August 2020). "Explosions Rock East Beirut". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b "MTV Lebanon News on Twitter". Twitter (in Turkish). 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  6. ^ Holmes, Oliver; Beaumont, Peter; Safi, Michael; Chulov, Martin (4 August 2020). "Beirut explosion: dead and wounded among 'hundreds of casualties', says Lebanon Red Cross – live updates" – via www.theguardian.com.
  7. ^ "Massive explosion rocks central Beirut". The Independent. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Beirut explosion updates: Massive blast rocks Lebanese capital". BBC News.
  9. ^ "'Like an earthquake': Huge explosion rips through Beirut captured on video". Hindustan Times. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d Azhari, Timour (4 August 2020). "Hundreds wounded as huge blast rips through Lebanon's Beirut". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Multiple explosions rock Downtown Beirut: Eyewitnesses". Al Arabiya English. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b c "Huge explosion in Beirut shatters windows and rocks buildings". The Guardian. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Massive blast in Beirut kills at least 10, sending shockwaves across city". Reuters. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  14. ^ Gadzo, Mersiha (4 August 2020). "Explosion 'caused by highly explosive material stored in warehouse': Official". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Many injured as large blast rocks Beirut". BBC News. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  16. ^ "President sends condolences after Beirut blast, embassy damaged". Cyprus Mail. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  17. ^ a b Cheeseman, Abbie; Suliman, Adela; Mulligan, Matthew (4 August 2020). "Massive explosion rocks Beirut, causing injuries and widespread damage". NBC News. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  18. ^ Qiblawi, Tamara (4 August 2020). "Beirut explosion shatters windows across Lebanese capital". CNN. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Two massive explosions rock Beirut, wounding dozens". CBS News. CBS. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Huge explosions rock Lebanon capital Beirut with widespread damage, injuries". abc7.com. abc7.com. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Lebanon's health minister says many injuries and large damage from Beirut blast: LBC TV". Reuters. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  22. ^ Holmes, Oliver (4 August 2020). "Beirut explosion: dead and wounded among 'hundreds of casualties', says Lebanon Red Cross – live updates". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  23. ^ At least 25 people killed, 2,200 injured in Beirut blast, CNN, 04/08/20
  24. ^ https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/918196581995877
  25. ^ "Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab declares national day of mourning Wednesday, after Beirut blast". The Daily Star. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  26. ^ "Lübnan'ın başkenti Beyrut'ta patlama" (in Turkish). Anadolu Agency. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  27. ^ Christodoulides, Nikos. "Expressing our overwhelming and heartfelt sympathy". Twitter. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Jean-Yves Le Drian on Twitter". Twitter (in French). 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Foreign Ministry announcement on the explosions in Beirut". Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Israel not behind Beirut blast, sources on both sides say; at least 10 killed". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 4 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ https://www.hamal.co.il/post/-MDuowcK1kAw1pvN6jnI?utm_source=Generalshare&utm_medium=sharebuttonapp&utm_term=social&utm_content=general&utm_campaign=socialbutton. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "İbrahim Kalın'dan Beyrut'taki patlamaya ilişkin açıklama!". www.sozcu.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  33. ^ Dominic Raab [@DominicRaab] (4 August 2020). "My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the devastating explosion in #Beirut today. The UK 🇬🇧 stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon 🇱🇧 and is ready to offer help and support including to those British nationals impacted" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 August 2020 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "https://twitter.com/borisjohnson/status/1290723819380973568". Twitter. Retrieved 4 August 2020. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  35. ^ "https://twitter.com/usembassybeirut/status/1290713993032630272". Twitter. Retrieved 4 August 2020. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
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