A devastating massive explosion rocked Lebanon’s capital – Beirut on Tuesday, destroying much of the structures at the port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a huge swell of cloud into the sky.
An Eye witness account: Happening now!
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A massive Explosion rocks Lebanon's Capital Beirut claiming lots of lives and leaving thousands trapped under the debris. Rescue operations ongoing.#BeirutExplosion #lebanonblast #BeirutBlast #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/x1LZzZWs8h
Over 100 lives were lost to the unfortunate incident with over 3,000 sustaining various degrees of injuries. There are fears much of the casualty figure is yet to be identified are there are concerns hundreds of people are still trapped in the rubble.
The destructive explosion shook the state Capital to its foundation with the Beirut hospitals quickly filled beyond capacity, pleading for blood supplies and generators to keep their lights on.
The cause of the blast was not immediately ascertained but there are speculations this might have been caused by highly explosive material that was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored at the port a view also supported by Abbas Ibrahim, Chief of Lebanese general Security. Local television channel LBC said the material was sodium nitrate.
Witnesses reported seeing a strange orange-colored cloud over the site after the explosion. Orange clouds of toxic nitrogen dioxide gas often accompany an explosion involving nitrates.
“It was a real horror show. I haven’t seen anything like that since the days of the (civil) war,” said a witness Marwan Ramadan, who was about 500 yards from the port and was knocked off his feet by the force of the explosion.
