This is a developing situation, please check back in for updates.
UPDATES:
Director General of the Lebanese General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, said that “the talk about fireworks is ridiculous.”
More than 30 confirmed dead and over 3,000 injured.
Large blast rocks Lebanese capital Beirut, days ahead of verdict in politically sensitive murder trial – many people injured, eyewitnesses sayhttps://t.co/zwQ3490qwJ
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 4, 2020
To understand the scale of Beirut port explosion;
Just one hospital, Hotel Dieu Hospital, has more than 500 wounded people and they can no longer accept any more patients.
They need blood, and there dozens who need surgery, per LBCI
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) August 4, 2020
The Health Minister says that hundreds of people have been injured. The official death toll so far is mercifully only ten.
The first official statement from a Lebanese security official has said that the explosion was caused by “explosive materials” stored in a port warehouse. The statement has brought up more questions than it answers.
Yet another reporter has told Al Jezeera that he “is skeptical” of the fireworks story.
The BBC is reporting:
A large blast has hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, ahead of the verdict in a trial over the killing of ex-PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Reports say the explosion was in the port area of the city, with unconfirmed reports of a second blast. The authorities fear many casualties.
Video posted online showed a large mushroom cloud and extensive damage.
A UN tribunal is due to issue its verdict in the trial of four suspects in the murder by car bomb of Hariri.
All four are members of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, which has consistently denied any role in Hariri’s death. The verdict is due on Friday.
The possible second explosion was reported to be at the Hariri residence in the city.
However, as of now, there is no evidence that this was anything other than an explosion at a fireworks warehouse or depot.
#Beirut streets now. pic.twitter.com/8mZSXTLNQI
— Samar Saeed/سمر سعيد (@Samarsaeed) August 4, 2020
The port where the explosion took place is just a couple of miles from downtown Beirut. It is a district with shops, government offices, and the cultural heart of the city. It had just reopened from lockdown meaning many people were out on the streets.
A view of the explosion from the coast in Beirut. That's massive. pic.twitter.com/qmnNEC5jPI
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/BassemDy/status/1290679540298244096
Two reporters on Al Jezeera have separately stated that they heard either a jet or a missile sound prior to the explosion.
Some people on the ground are skeptical of the “fireworks” theory.
Fireworks explosion?! I felt like I’m dying, I still can’t believe it #Lebanon #Beirut pic.twitter.com/EMTS470FOH
— Ahmad M. Yassine | أحمد م. ياسين (@Lobnene_Blog) August 4, 2020
There is also talk of a “firecracker factory” being involved. As of yet, no one seems to know the cause of the large blastwave.
What looks like fireworks going off before the large explosion at the #Beirut port. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/D3PlidjjNA
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) August 4, 2020
Local reporters are saying that it could be a terror attack of some description.
https://twitter.com/Holbornlolz/status/1290671769427292160
In the port area of Lebanon, Beirut, a major explosion has happened. With a huge blast wave that damaged buildings miles away from the source, injuries and deaths are unknown but likely to be high.
https://twitter.com/Holbornlolz/status/1290672636054437888
Reporters on the ground say that the cause of the explosion, possibly two blasts – one triggered by the other.
