Massive explosion hits Beirut in Lebanon, over 100 dies, 4000 injured

A huge blast at Beirut port that devastated entire neighbourhoods of the city in Lebanon has killed more than 100 people and injured over 4,000, the Lebanese Red Cross said August 5^th, 2020.

"Until now over 4,000 people have been injured and over 100 have lost their lives. Our teams are still conducting search and rescue operations in the surrounding areas," a statement said.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab called on "friendly countries" to support a country already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades and the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at the loss of lives in the explosion that rocked Beirut and said India’s thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured.

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The United Nations said it is actively assisting in the response to the horrific explosions that ripped through the port area of Beirut, as Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Lebanese people.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon, following the horrific explosions in Beirut, a statement from a UN spokesperson said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said "it looks like a terrible attack" and that U.S. generals had told him that the powerful explosions appeared to have been caused by a "bomb of some kind", without offering evidence.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that "we are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy".

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