Lebanon’s Prime Minister has blamed the Beirut explosion on 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left in a warehouse for six years. The blast rocked the capital city earlier this evening, killing at least 78 people and injuring more than 4,000 others. Rescue teams are still working to pull victims from the debris, while overwhelmed hospitals have been forced to treat some patients outdoors. Earlier today Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said the explosion may have been caused by highly explosive material which was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored in a port warehouse. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed to punish those responsible for the explosives, stating that it was ‘unacceptable’ how they had been stored unchecked for so long.

He said: ‘I will not rest until we find the person responsible for what happened so we can hold them to account and impose the most severe punishment. ‘It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures and endangering the safety of citizens.’ Diab also called for a national day of mourning to take place on Wednesday. The death toll from the blast is expected to keep on rising, with officials describing it as the most powerful explosion to hit the city in years. Lebanon’s Red Cross said hundreds of people had been taken to hospitals.

Arriving at the port this evening, Beirut’s governor Marwan Abboud broke down in tears as he talked about helping to search for fire fighters who had ‘vanished’ while putting out the blaze. He continued: ‘This reminds me of what happened in Japan, to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I’ve never seen damage of this size and width, and so catastrophic. ‘This is a national catastrophe. This is a problem for Lebanon, and we don’t know how we’re going to get out of it. This is a lot. It’s a lot all at once for people.’ Shocking footage immediately after the blast showed people soaked in blood, buildings left in ruins and debris scattered across roads. Hospitals have been calling out for blood donations to help them treat the wounded.

Countries such as France, Canada, the UK and Israel have offered humanitarian assistance and support to Lebanon. Israel’s support comes after the nation’s officials denied involvement in the blasts amid ongoing tensions with the country. The explosion was also felt by residents in Cyprus, more than 145 miles away from Beirut, with witnesses feeling their windows rattle and describing it as similar to thunder. The Foreign Office has now confirmed that a small number of staff at the UK embassy are among the thousands injured and are receiving medical attention where necessary.


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