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.” Due to the explosion that rocked #Beirut Port today, one of our Maritime Task Force ships was damaged, leaving some naval peacekeepers injured. #UNIFIL is assessing the situation & stands ready to provide assistance & support to the Lebanese Government. ℹ️ https://t.co/8msy8IHJ3n — UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) August 4, 2020 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. The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 4, 2020 Absolutely tragic news coming out of Beirut. Canadians are thinking of everyone who has been injured and all those who are trying to locate a friend or family member or have lost a loved one. We’re keeping you in our thoughts and we stand ready to assist in any way we can. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 4, 2020 My condolences to the families of the victims of the explosions in Beirut. #EU stands by the people of #Beirut in these difficult moments. Our 🇪🇺 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in contanct with the civil protection authorities of #Lebanon. — Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) August 4, 2020 Tonight our thoughts are with the victims of the devastating explosion in #Beirut. We extend our condolences, support and heartfelt sympathies to the people of #Lebanon. — SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) August 4, 2020 Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon. As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. Stay strong, Lebanon. 🖤🇱🇧 — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 4, 2020 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." "Let me begin by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon." pic.twitter.com/CZitqk2A0S — The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 4, 2020 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. Terrible scenes out of Beirut after a major explosion. Our hearts go out to those caught up in this tragedy and to our Australian Lebanese community waiting to hear from their loved ones. Australia stands ready to provide our support, including to any Australians affected. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) August 4, 2020 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. Under the direction of Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz and Minister of Foreign Affairs, @Gabi_Ashkenazi, Israel approached Lebanon through international defense and diplomatic channels to offer the Lebanese government medical humanitarian aid. — בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) August 4, 2020 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. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the devastating explosion in #Beirut today. The UK 🇬🇧 stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon 🇱🇧 and is ready to offer help and support including to those British nationals impacted. — Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) August 4, 2020 Indian Embassy in Lebanon urges calm, issues helpline numbers for the Indian community in Beirut. 2 big explosions heard in Central Beirut this evening. Everyone is advised to stay calm. Any Indian community member in need of any help, may contact our Help Line. @MEAIndia @SecySanjay pic.twitter.com/xWlgU8WdNB — India in Lebanon (@IndiaInLebanon) August 4, 2020