Dozens dead, thousands wounded in Lebanon explosion [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• A massive explosion happened in the port of Beirut city in Lebanon on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 dead and thousands of injured people.
• An initial explosion occurred in a fireworks warehouse and was followed by a huge blast that sent a mushroom-like smoke in the sky and shock waves over the city.
• Initial assessments suggest that the explosion was a tragic incident but officials were also looking at the angle of a possible planned bombing, according to Fox News.

Beirut’s port in Lebanon was hugely blown away on Tuesday by a destructive explosion that left thousands of casualties and at least 73 fatalities.

Footage showed a wave of smoke rising from what appeared to be an initial outburst, followed by a massive explosion that produced a mushroom cloud and a shock wave that roared citywide.

According to officials, the blow-up destroyed many infrastructures which include buildings and windows. 

The headquarters of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri was also destroyed, Reuters reported. The office of the nearby Daily Star newspaper was also destroyed by the explosion.

Many people were injured by flying glass and debris, based on the claims of witnesses. The casualty figures were not immediately determined as hospitals called for blood donations. Local media displayed photos of the bloody scenery.

Fox News also said that the explosion had taken place in the port area which is a bailiwick of the Shia Islamic movement.

“There are cars with dead people in the streets under rubble, and the medical infrastructure was already at full speed due to the pandemic and lack of supplies,” a source told the news outlet on Tuesday.

Based on initial reports, at least one of the blasts happened in a fireworks warehouse near the port area.

According to Agence France-Presse, the sound of the explosions reached as far as Nicosia located on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, about 150 miles away.

One resident tweeted: “Buildings are shaking,” while another wrote: “An enormous, deafening explosion just engulfed Beirut. Heard it from miles away.”

Citing local news LBC, Reuters reported that according to Lebanese Health Minister Haamd Hasan, there was a “very high number” of casualties. Hundreds were injured as reported by Al Mayadeen TV.

People were walking in total shock along the streets as many, including children, were rushed to Clemenceau Medical Center, AFP reported.

Initial assessments suggest that the blasts were an accident. Fox News reported that authorities were also looking into the possibility of a planned bombing.

According to the news outlet, the incident came days before the United Nation’s decision concerning the four accused Hezbollah militants charged with killing Rafic Hariri, former Lebanese Prime Minister in 2005. The assailants are on trial in absentia in the Netherlands.

Source: New York Post