STORY HIGHLIGHTS
August 5, 2020: Two enormous explosions devastated Beirut's port on Tuesday, leaving at more than 70 people dead and thousands injured, shaking distant buildings and spreading panic and chaos across t
August 5, 2020: Two enormous explosions devastated Beirut's port on Tuesday, leaving at more than 70 people dead and thousands injured, shaking distant buildings and spreading panic and chaos across the Lebanese capital.
The second blast sent an enormous orange fireball into the sky, flattened the harbor side and drove a tornado-like shockwave through the city, shattering windows kilometers (miles) away.
Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters at least 78 people are dead and nearly 4,000 were injured in the blast.
Hasan said “many people” are still missing.
“People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity,” he said. “We are facing a real catastrophe and need time to assess the extent of damages.”
Videos of the explosion show a huge blast followed by screaming and thick smoke rising over the city.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
August 5, 2020: Two enormous explosions devastated Beirut's port on Tuesday, leaving at more than 70 people dead and thousands injured, shaking distant buildings and spreading panic and chaos across t
August 5, 2020: Two enormous explosions devastated Beirut's port on Tuesday, leaving at more than 70 people dead and thousands injured, shaking distant buildings and spreading panic and chaos across the Lebanese capital.
The second blast sent an enormous orange fireball into the sky, flattened the harbor side and drove a tornado-like shockwave through the city, shattering windows kilometers (miles) away.
Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters at least 78 people are dead and nearly 4,000 were injured in the blast.
“People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity,” he said. “We are facing a real catastrophe and need time to assess the extent of damages.”
Videos of the explosion show a huge blast followed by screaming and thick smoke rising over the city.