In Lebanon, at least 70 people have been killed and more than 4,000 injured in a huge explosion in the capital, Beirut, last night. The explosion sent shockwaves that shattered windows, smashed masonry and shook the ground across the Lebanese capital. Videos show smoke billowing from a fire, then a mushroom cloud following the blast at the city’s port. Hospitals are said to be overwhelmed and many buildings have been destroyed. The blast was heard 240 km away on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
Officials are blaming highly explosive materials stored in a warehouse for six years. President Michel Aoun said, it is unacceptable that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored unsafely.
An investigation is under way to find the exact trigger for the explosion. Lebanon’s Supreme Defence Council said those responsible will face the maximum punishment possible.
President Aoun has declared a three-day mourning and said the government will release 66 million dollar as emergency funds.
Indian Embassy in Lebanon is in touch with the Indian community. The Embassy has also shared its helpline numbers with the Indian community.
The explosion comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon, with an economic crisis reigniting old divisions. Tensions are also high ahead of Friday’s verdict in a trial over the killing of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
