Everything you need to know about Beirut blast

A sad day for Beirut today. A traumatic, catastrophic blast took place in the Lebanese capital; the scene reminds of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, creating a huge mushroom cloud over Beirut. Reports said that it was the result of a fire breaking out at a warehouse full of fireworks, however some Lebanese doubted this “claim” suggesting that it was a planned attack. However, this couldn’t erase the traumatic and chaotic scene of the massive blast, which rocked Beirut.

 

 

Here’s everything you need to know about Beirut blast:

 

• On Tuesday August 4^th, a large explosion rocked Beirut’s port, due to major fire in a warehouse used for storing firecrackers, according to news reports.
• President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, caused the bombing.
• At least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 wounded in the massive explosion, also firefighters and citizens went missing.
• The blast damaged shops, people’s homes and belongings leaving the city under the rubble.
• Various damages were reported, including breaking windows and glass facades, it was felt about 23 kilometers from the site of the explosion, also in Cyprus, which is around 240 kilometers away from Lebanon.
• Hospitals in Beirut, which were also damaged, are struggling to treat thousands of people who were injured in the blast.
• Lebanon lost about half of the wheat stockpiles after the blast that happened near silos that contain the national grain reserve.
• Lebanese Prime Minister declared a state of emergency and called for 3 days of mourning.
• Amid the chaotic tragic scene of Beirut, Lebanese people came together to help each other in this catastrophic event; some people opened their homes for people who lost their homes in the blast, as well as some hotels offered this humanitarian service.
• It was a historical explosion like no other in Beirut, which sparked a widespread debate on the media; Whether the blast was the result of a fire in a warehouse full of highly explosive materials, or an Israeli attack. All scenarios were present but the truth remains a mystery for the Lebanese.
• Lebanese people are hopeless, living in despair. As if inflation and economic crisis and corona pandemic weren’t enough for them, this “Hiroshima” level blast surely destroyed them, morally, regardless of material damage. They can’t catch a breath!