German search and rescue workers leave for Beirut

A group of German search and rescue workers left Frankfurt and were on their way to Beirut on Wednesday, following a massive blast which ripped across the Lebanese capital the previous day, killing at least 135 people.

At a government briefing in Berlin earlier on Wednesday, German Interior Ministry spokesman Björn said the THW technical assistance agency's team will be sent to assist the embassy which was damaged in the blast.

According to Grünewälder, Berlin was waiting for confirmation from Lebanon on the separate search-and-rescue team.

Ahead of his departure, chief of 'Technisches Hilfswerk' operation, Timo Eilhardt said the chances of survival under the rubble are "72 hours plus".

"Sometimes there are small miracles that you find people after that and we hope for that", Eilhardt added.