Beirut Blast Live Updates: Huge explosion rocks Lebanon's capital - 70 dead, 3000 injured

Massive explosions rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday, August 4, damaging buildings and wounding hundreds of people as a giant cloud of smoke rose above the city.

As per international media reports, the cause of the blast and exact casualties were not immediately known but pieces of glass from shattered windows flew miles from the scene. 

This comes amid rising tensions between Israel and the militant Hezbollah group along Lebanon’s southern border. Online videos show a column of smoke rising from the port area, which appears to be the site of explosion, followed by a massive blast that sent shock waves over Beirut.

Hours after a massive explosion rocked downtown Beirut, Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared a national day of mourning. 

Lebanese Red Cross official Georges Kettaneh said there were dead and wounded, but did not have an exact figure, just saying there were hundreds of casualties.

Associated Press has reported a civil defence official on the scene of the blast saying his men have evacuated dozens to hospitals and that there were still bodies inside the port, many of them under debris.

The head of the Lebanese Red Cross told local television there were hundreds of casualties although many were superficial wounds from broken glass.

France's President Emmanuel Macron tweeted a message of solidarity for Lebanese people following the Beirut blast. He informed that French aid and resources are being delivered to the site.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has called for international support in the wake of Beirut blast. In a televised speech, Dias addressed the Lebanese people and said that does not want to pre-empt an investigation but vowed to punish those responsible for the catastrophe.

As per reports, the Lebanese Prime Minister called the tragic incident a 'major national disaster' and made an urgent appeal to friendly nations to stand by the country. 

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab is reported to have stated that 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored at a warehouse near the Beirut port lead to the huge blast that killed at more than 70 people and injured 3,000 in the Lebanese capital. 

As per authorities, the warehouse had been the subject of multiple warnings going back to 2014. Diab was quoted saying that he "will not rest until we find the person responsible." "We will cooperate at the level of responsibility, and urge you to unite to heal the nation's wounds," said the Lebanese Prime Minister.

The prime minister's headquarters and Baada Palace (the residence of the president), are among notable buildings in the capital that suffered massive damages. Leaders from around the world poured in their sympathies for the victims of the blast while extending support to the Lebanon government.     

The tragic incident comes at a time of economic difficulties, heightened by the COVID-19 crisis. The Lebanese pound has plunged in value against the dollar and many jobs have evaporated. Moreover, the country is in the thick of diplomatic tension with Isreal and has been struggling against rebel groups. 

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in a statement, said that one of its Maritime Task Force ships docked in the port was damaged, leaving some naval peacekeepers injured. UNIFIL added that it is transporting the injured peacekeepers to the nearest hospitals for medical treatment; while it said some of them were 'seriously' injured, the UN mission did not reveal the number of casualties. 

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Del Col said: “We are with the people and the Government of Lebanon during this difficult time and stand ready to help and provide any assistance and support.”

The United States Embassy in Beirut has issued a statement urging people in the area to stay indoors and wear masks citing "reports of toxic gases released in the explosion".

The embassy assured that they're following reports of Beirut blast and asked US citizens in the affected areas to contact their family and friends directly and/or update their status on social media. 

In a statement from Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to the President of Lebanon, expressing his grief over the loss of human life and large-scale destruction in Beirut blast.

“We in Russia share the grief of the Lebanese people. Please convey my words of sympathy and support to the victims’ families and friends and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” the President of Russia noted.

Germany’s geosciences center GFZ has said the Beirut blast struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, which was heard and felt as far away as 200 kilometers across the Mediterranean in Cyprus, Associated Press reported. 

As per the latest update, more than 70 people have died and 3,000 have been injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials informed. 

A video from inside a Beirut home shows the huge explosion that rattled the Lebanese capital earlier. The short clip shows a massive cloud taking over the city and gives a glimpse into the panic that followed the tragic event.  

US President Donald Trump is the latest in line of world leaders to have extended support and assistance to Lebanon following the Beirut blast. 

He began his daily media interaction by "sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon" and said the United States stands ready to assist.  He added the country has a “very good relationship with the people of Lebanon." 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also extended his support to the people of Lebanon and the Australian Lebanese community. An international media portal later cited Morrison to have confirmed that one Australian had been killed in the blast. 

Lebanese President Michel Aoun is reported to have called for a two-week-long state of emergency to be declared in Beirut after a huge explosion sent shock waves over the national capital. He has called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her government is "shocked by the reports and images" of the Beirut blast, according to her spokesperson Ulrike Demmer.

Merkel sent her thoughts to those who have lost love ones and wished the wounded a speedy recovery while extending a helping hand to Lebanon, as tweeted by Demmer.

Merkel's remarks come after the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that its employees in the Lebanese capital were among the injured. 

Hours after a massive blast killed at least 50 and injured more than 2,700 people, ambulances carried the wounded to the hospital as army helicopters were spotted battling the fire at Beirut port. 

As per Associated Press reports, Beirut hospitals quickly filled beyond capacity and launched a plea for blood supplies and generators to keep the lights on.

While the cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, Lebanese General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim is reported to have said that highly explosive material, that was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored at the port, was most likely to have caused the explosion. Initial images of the blast show orange-coloured clouds over the port, hinting at nitrate compound combustion. 

Israel was quick to issue a statement on the Beirut blast. The Middle East power, which is at war with Lebanon, said that it "had nothing to do" with the explosion.  

Lebanon's Health minister Hamad Hasan has confirmed that at least 27 people were killed in the Beirut blast and another 2,500 injured.

Lebanon's internal security chief says the blast took place in a port area with highly explosive material, not explosives.

(Image Credits: AP)

Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Benny Gantz tweeted that the country will approach the Lebanese government through 'international security' and 'diplomatic channels' for medical humanitarian aid. 

The move comes amid heightened diplomatic tension between the two Middle East powers. Earlier, the Israeli government issued a statement on Beirut blast saying it "had nothing to do" with the explosion. 
 

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab took to Twitter to send his thoughts and prayers to Beirut blast victims. Raab extended the United Kingdom's help and support to the people and government of Lebanon.

Indian Embassy in Lebanon urges calm, issues helpline numbers for the Indian community in Beirut.