Search icon

News

05th Aug 2020

At least 100 dead following Lebanon explosion caused by ammonium nitrate

Rudi Kinsella

lebanon explosion

Thousands were injured as a result of the explosion.

President of Lebanon Michel Aoun has told the public that Tuesday’s explosion was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored unsafely in a warehouse for six years.

At least 100 people were killed, while it is believed that thousands have been injured.

As it stands, it remains difficult to see just how much damage has been done to the city, after a fire at the port exploded into a massive blast.

A two-week state of emergency is expected to be declared in Lebanon on Wednesday, as an urgent cabinet meeting has been scheduled.

The country will also observe an official period of mourning for three days from Wednesday.

Aoun also announced that the government would release 100 billion lira (€55 million) of emergency funds.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said his country was experiencing “a real catastrophe” and said that those responsible for the incident would pay the price.

A number of shocking videos of the blast were captured by those who were in the Beirut area at the time, and were shared widely on social media throughout the day.

The Lebanese Red Cross is appealing for donations to help them deal with the effects of the explosion, which you can do directly here.

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge