Two huge explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4, 2020, wounding dozens of people, shaking buildings, and sending huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. (Photo: STR/AFP via Getty Images)
'Fully Destroyed': Massive Explosion at Port Rocks Beirut
The blast sent a shockwave across the city.
This is a developing story... Check back for possible updates...
A massive explosion at the port in Beruit, Lebanon sent a shockwave across the city, blowing out windows and sending people scrambling for cover.
While casualty figures were not available, the Daily Star reports that "dozens are feared dead" in the wake of the blast.
An official cause of the blast has not been determined or announced by authorities, but early speculation ranged from stored munitions to possible fertilizers or a combination of factors.
Lebanon's Interior Minister Mohammad Fahm reportedly said that ammonium nitrate stored at the port was responsible for the blast. Head of General Security Gen. Abbas Ibrahim told the National News Agency that the "highly explosive materials" were seized years ago.
Thousands are wounded and at least dozens are dead, according to media reports.
"People are discussing about which hospital they can get to across the city," said Al Jazeera's Timour Azhari. "This hospital, the Hotel-Dieu hospital has formally announced that people should stop coming here."
Video shared to social media shows the blast followed by a shockwave making its way across the city.
"The city is in a state of panic," reported CNN's Ben Wedeman. "The city is in a state of shock."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
This is a developing story... Check back for possible updates...
A massive explosion at the port in Beruit, Lebanon sent a shockwave across the city, blowing out windows and sending people scrambling for cover.
While casualty figures were not available, the Daily Star reports that "dozens are feared dead" in the wake of the blast.
An official cause of the blast has not been determined or announced by authorities, but early speculation ranged from stored munitions to possible fertilizers or a combination of factors.
Lebanon's Interior Minister Mohammad Fahm reportedly said that ammonium nitrate stored at the port was responsible for the blast. Head of General Security Gen. Abbas Ibrahim told the National News Agency that the "highly explosive materials" were seized years ago.
Thousands are wounded and at least dozens are dead, according to media reports.
"People are discussing about which hospital they can get to across the city," said Al Jazeera's Timour Azhari. "This hospital, the Hotel-Dieu hospital has formally announced that people should stop coming here."
Video shared to social media shows the blast followed by a shockwave making its way across the city.
"The city is in a state of panic," reported CNN's Ben Wedeman. "The city is in a state of shock."
This is a developing story... Check back for possible updates...
A massive explosion at the port in Beruit, Lebanon sent a shockwave across the city, blowing out windows and sending people scrambling for cover.
While casualty figures were not available, the Daily Star reports that "dozens are feared dead" in the wake of the blast.
An official cause of the blast has not been determined or announced by authorities, but early speculation ranged from stored munitions to possible fertilizers or a combination of factors.
Lebanon's Interior Minister Mohammad Fahm reportedly said that ammonium nitrate stored at the port was responsible for the blast. Head of General Security Gen. Abbas Ibrahim told the National News Agency that the "highly explosive materials" were seized years ago.
Thousands are wounded and at least dozens are dead, according to media reports.
"People are discussing about which hospital they can get to across the city," said Al Jazeera's Timour Azhari. "This hospital, the Hotel-Dieu hospital has formally announced that people should stop coming here."
Video shared to social media shows the blast followed by a shockwave making its way across the city.
"The city is in a state of panic," reported CNN's Ben Wedeman. "The city is in a state of shock."