China News Service, August 5th. According to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), on August 5 local time, Lebanese President Aoun convened an emergency cabinet meeting and delivered a speech on the Beirut port explosion. He called on the Lebanese people to unite and said that an urgent investigation into this incident would be conducted to "severely punish" the perpetrators.
According to reports, in his speech on the 5th, Aoun expressed deep condolences to all victims, paid tribute to medical rescuers, and expressed gratitude to all friendly countries that expressed concern and support.
Aoun also said, "We affirm to all Lebanese that we are determined to continue the investigation, expose what happened as soon as possible, hold the perpetrators and negligents accountable, and impose the harshest punishment on them."
According to Agence France-Presse, the Lebanese Red Cross stated on the 5th that the explosion at the Beirut port has caused more than 100 deaths and more than 4,000 injuries. The picture shows the port area of Beirut, Lebanon. Members of the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) assisted in rescue at the explosion site.
According to previous reports, a violent explosion occurred in the Beirut port area on the evening of the 4th local time. According to Agence France-Presse, the Lebanese Red Cross stated on the 5th that the explosion had killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000. According to estimates by the governor of Beirut, the explosion may cause 250,000 to 300,000 people to be homeless. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has declared the 5th as a national day of mourning, and the government will allocate 100 billion Lebanese pounds in emergency relief funds.
In response to the cause of the explosion, Lebanese Interior Minister Fahmi said that the explosion may have been caused by the chemical ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in the port in 2014.