A huge warehouse explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, struck shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), shook the capital city, killing 78 people and injuring nearly 4,000 in a toll that officials expect to rise.
Governor of Beirut says three hundred thousand people have been left homeless due to port blast.
Talking to Reuters, Lebanon’s Health Minister, Hamad Hasan, said, “There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity.”
President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, stated 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, usually used for fertilizers and bombs, being contained over the past six years at the port in Beirut without any safety measures.
Calling for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Aoun called the situation “unacceptable”.
Lebanese officials have not stated what lead to the blaze that set off the catastrophic blast.
However, local media and a security source claimed the blast was set off by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse.
“What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe,” the head of Lebanon’s Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. “There are victims and casualties everywhere.”
The fire still blazed in the port district even hours after the blast.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, pledged accountability for the blast stating “those responsible will pay the price.”
The US embassy in Beirut alerted people about the chances of toxic gases being released by the blast, calling on the residents to stay indoors and wear masks if possible.
Having fought several wars with Lebanon, Israeli officials said Israel, had nothing to do with the explosion. Isreal also took a step forward by saying that the country was ready to offer humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon.
Iran and its regional rival Saudi Arabia also offered support to Lebanon.
The US President Donald Trump, during a White House briefing, indicated that the blast was a possible attack. However, two US officials, initial reports contradicted Trump’s address.
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