Massive Explosion In Lebanon’s Capital Kills At Least 10–Hospitals ‘Struggling Badly’ To Tend To Injured (VIDEO)

K. WalkerAugust 4, 2020

22 1 minute read

A huge explosion in Beirut, Lebanon has injured many and caused widespread damage.

The cause of the explosion is unknown, but Fox News reports that intelligence sources say that “Hezbollah is in the limelight.” The port where the explosion occurred was “unofficially” controlled by Hezbollah. Speculation that Hezbollah was the target or the culprit are both circulating online, but neither allegation has been confirmed.

Some local Lebanese news agencies are reporting that the explosion took place in a facility that stores fireworks, but Reuters is reporting that Lebanon’s Interior Minister says that it was “highly explosive material” that had been seized years ago, but an investigation will determine what exactly happened.

Lebanon’s interior minister says initial information indicates highly explosive material seized years ago blew up, though the cause of explosion won’t be determined until an investigation is complete https://t.co/H5T7gWfBT9

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 4, 2020

Hospitals, already run ragged due to COVID, are now becoming overwhelmed with the “very high number of injuries.”

The afternoon blast shook several parts of the capital and thick smoke billowed from the city center. Residents reported windows being blown out and balconies and ceilings collapsing. The explosion appeared to be centered around Beirut’s port and caused wide-scale destruction and shattered windows miles away.

“I saw a fireball and smoke billowing over Beirut. People were screaming and running, bleeding. Balconies were blown off buildings. Glass in high-rise buildings shattered and fell to the street,” one unnamed witness told Reuters.

“We are aware of the explosion and are concerned for the potential loss of life due to such a massive explosion,” Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said in a statement to Fox News.

Source: Fox News

Video footage of the explosion shows how terrifying the event was for those in Beirut.

https://twitter.com/AbirGhattas/status/1290671474269986822?s=20

Stunning video shows explosions just minutes ago at Beirut port pic.twitter.com/ZjltF0VcTr

— Borzou Daragahi 🖊🗒 (@borzou) August 4, 2020

The Lebanese Red Cross is responding.

Beirut Port Explosion: 🚨more than 30 teams are responding to the explosion. Please make way to our ambulances!🚨

— Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) August 4, 2020

Beirut Port explosion: all available Lebanese Red Cross ambulances from North Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon are being dispatched to Beirut to support with rescue and evacuation of patients.

— Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) August 4, 2020

Sky News Middle East Editor Zein Ja'far, who is in Beirut, says he has seen "quite a few people… walking around in a real daze" near the the site of the explosion.

Get the latest on this story here: https://t.co/UH3Jscyfkr pic.twitter.com/OyUPj30PX0

— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 4, 2020

https://twitter.com/SVNewsAlerts/status/1290709496927526913?s=20