China News Service, August 6th, a comprehensive report that on the 4th local time, a violent explosion occurred in the port area of ​​Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, causing 113 deaths and about 4,000 injuries. The search and rescue work is still continuing, and the number of deaths may rise further.

  Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said bluntly, “We are witnessing a real disaster.” The Beirut governor estimated that the explosion would leave 250,000 to 300,000 people homeless. The country’s granary was also destroyed in the explosion, and its food reserves were less than one month old. At the time of disaster, many countries rushed to help Lebanon.

On the evening of the 4th local time, a violent explosion occurred in the port area of ​​Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. According to the latest statistics released by the Lebanese Red Cross, the explosion has killed more than 100 people and injured more than 4000 others.

More than 4,000 people were killed and injured in the Australian embassy glass was shattered

The granary was bombed and the grain reserves were insufficient for one month

  At 6 o'clock in the evening local time on the 4th, a loud noise suddenly broke out in the port area of ​​Beirut, a violent explosion occurred, and a pink "mushroom cloud" rose on the scene. The explosion site was not far from many tourist attractions and government buildings in the city. The huge explosion force caused serious casualties and damage to the city.

Overlooking the explosion site in Lebanon, the building was razed.

  According to the Lebanese Minister of Health, the explosion has caused 113 deaths and about 4000 injuries. Emergency rescuers are still digging in the rubble and looking for survivors. Lebanese officials predict that the death toll may rise further.

  Both the Lebanese Prime Minister's Office and the Presidential Office were affected by the explosion. The wife and daughter of Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the prime minister’s advisers were all injured in the explosion. In addition, Nazaryan, general secretary of the Lebanese Phalange Party, died in the explosion.

The picture shows a military helicopter sprinkling water at the explosion site.

  The explosion also caused damage to the embassies of many countries. Both the Dutch Embassy and the Australian Embassy were severely damaged. About 95% of the windows of the latter were shattered. The South Korean Embassy in Lebanon stated that some windows of the embassy were broken.

  In addition, the wife of the Dutch ambassador to Lebanon was seriously injured. The Chinese Embassy in Lebanon confirmed on the 5th that a Chinese citizen was slightly injured. Citizens of Japan, the Philippines, and Australia were killed or injured in the explosion.

  The Deputy Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Farhan Hacker said that a total of 48 UN staff members were injured in the explosion. The Bangladeshi military said at least 21 members of the Bangladesh Navy were injured in the United Nations multinational force in Beirut.

  The storage granary at the port where the incident occurred was also "destroyed," leaving the country with less than one month's food reserves. It is estimated that the granary could carry 85% of the country’s strategic grain reserves. Pierre Achkar, president of the Lebanese Tourist Hotel Alliance, also stated that 90% of the hotels in the capital were damaged by the explosion.

  The Governor of Beirut Province Marwan Abboud estimated that the damage caused by the port explosion could be as high as US$3 billion to US$5 billion.

The picture shows people inspecting a damaged car on the street.

A day of shock, sadness, and disaster

"Can't believe I'm still alive"

  "We were at home. We heard sounds like fireworks. We thought a container in the port was on fire." "After a few seconds, we flew into the air." A resident described the experience of the explosion.

  Columnar smoke rose, followed by a big explosion, residential windows were shattered, apartment balconies collapsed... Data collected by the United States Geological Survey showed that the seismic waves generated by the explosion were equivalent to a magnitude 3.3 earthquake, even separated from Lebanon. Cyprus, facing the sea, felt the shock wave of the explosion.

An explosion in the Lebanese capital has killed more than 100 people. Image source: Zhongxin Video

  A passenger ship at the port was also severely damaged by the explosion. Two people on board were killed and seven others were injured. The owner claimed that all "efforts and attempts to save the passenger ship were unsuccessful" and the ship eventually sank.

  After the explosion, local resident Hama tried to call his parents, but couldn’t find anyone. “I can’t believe I’m still alive.” A reporter from The New York Times saw on his way to the hospital, “Everyone on the street. Either bleeding from injury or being wrapped in a temporary bandage."

  The chairman of the Beirut Nurses Association stated that three hospitals in the city were completely destroyed and two other hospitals were partially destroyed. The medical system, which was originally embarrassed by the new crown epidemic, has encountered severe challenges.

  Regarding this large-scale explosion, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said, “We are witnessing a real disaster.” Governor Abd could not help crying in an interview. He described the explosion. "Looks like Japan's (nuclear) explosion in Hiroshima or Nagasaki."

At around 6 pm on August 4, local time, a huge explosion occurred in the port area of ​​Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Many houses were damaged, glass was shattered, and pink mushroom clouds and thick smoke rose in the sky.

300,000 people or homeless

The international community lends a helping hand

  The disaster caused by the big bang is far more than that. Lebanese Health Minister Hassan also said on the 5th that hundreds of family members of Beirut are missing. Abd said, "I think there are 250,000 to 300,000 people homeless now."

  In the face of the catastrophe, the Lebanese government moved quickly and actively responded. Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared the 5th a day of national mourning. The government has decided to allocate 100 billion Lebanese pounds in emergency funds to deal with the subsequent impact of the explosion.

  The Lebanese government also announced that Beirut had entered a two-week state of emergency. President Aoun also stated that he would launch an urgent investigation into the accident and severely punish those responsible for the explosion.

Data map: On-site inspection by Lebanese President Aoun after the explosion (middle).

  At the same time, politicians from many countries expressed their condolences over the explosion and also expressed humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon.

  UN Secretary-General Guterres expressed condolences to the victims of the bombing that day. Guterres stated that the United Nations will continue to provide support to Lebanon and actively assist in its response.

  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on the 5th that China is willing to actively provide assistance within its capacity for Lebanon to properly handle relevant incidents and achieve national development.

The picture shows members of the French Securite Civile rescue organization arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Dozens of rescue workers will fly to Lebanon with supplies to carry out rescue work.

  The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation announced that it will deploy a mobile hospital with doctors in Beirut, and will also send experts to provide new coronavirus testing laboratories, protective clothing and protective equipment.

  French Defense Minister Parley said that on the 5th, rescue workers and supplies will be transported from Paris to Beirut by two military transport aircraft. According to French media, the transport plane is also equipped with a mobile medical service station, which will be able to provide medical care to 500 injured people.

  Israel, Qatar, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, India and other countries have expressed their deep condolences to the dead and injured.