In the aftermath of the double explosion in the port of Beirut (Lebanon), we take stock of the situation.
Live: LIVE - Explosions in Beirut: more than 100 dead and 300,000 people homeless
- An impressive double explosion
A first strong explosion in the port area of Beirut took place on Tuesday August 4 at around 6 p.m., first followed by a fire and a few detonations, before a second explosion, much more powerful, which caused a huge release of mushroom-shaped smoke in the sky and decimated the harbor and surrounding buildings.
Read also: Explosions in Beirut: images of the tragedy
- Suspected ammonium nitrate
About 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate were stored in the warehouse in the port of Beirut which exploded, explained Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab. According to the director of General Security Abbas Ibrahim, the shipment of ammonium nitrate, a chemical fertilizer and also a component of explosives, had been stored for years in the warehouse, near busy neighborhoods.
Read also: What is ammonium nitrate, allegedly responsible for the explosion in Beirut?
- More than 100 dead and 4000 injured
The blasts killed more than 100 people and injured more than 4,000 others, according to the Lebanese Red Cross report on Wednesday. Research is still continuing in the neighborhoods around the port, whose streets are littered with debris of collapsed buildings. Across the city, residents were injured by glass shattered by the blast of the explosions.
- Beirut, a " disaster " city
According to the governor of Beirut, up to 300,000 people could be left homeless after the double explosion. The damage spread to almost half of the city, he said. This disaster could cost three to five billion dollars.
Read also: Beirut, shattered city after the deadly double explosion
- The international community offers its help
The United States, France, Qatar, Iran and even Israel, the archenemy of Lebanon, have offered their help. On the French side, a first plane is preparing to take off this Wednesday in the middle of the day, with on board 55 sappers-rescuers from the Civil Security Unit n.1 of Nogent-le-Rotrou.