Beirut blast | Business Upturn

Lebanese Prime Minister calls for early elections as political unrest escalates

Nivedya P T — Sun, 09 Aug 2020 05:36:19 +0000

Amidst political crisis and unrest going on in the aftermath of the major explosion in Beirut, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Saturday announced that he would request for early parliamentary elections.

“We cannot get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections,” he said, reading a statement.

The decision has come after angry crowds took to the streets on Saturday protesting against the government’s inefficiency in handling the catastrophe which killed over 150 people and injured over 5,000.

Police had also fired tear gas and rubber bullets to the mass gathered in Martyrs square and outside other government ministries demanding the fall of the regime.

Diab announced in a televised speech that he would stay in the post for two more months till the major political parties can reach an agreement. He would also introduce a bill to conduct early elections.

The decision is expected to calm the angry uprising.

Five officials have already given their resignation and some high-profile officials have also resigned in protest.

Since the popular uprising in October which led to the fall of the Saad Hariri Government, public dissatisfaction of the ruling class has been widespread and has accelerated the financial country to a level that the country has never seen.

NASA maps damage due to explosion in Beirut

Muskan Jain — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 16:46:43 +0000

Washington DC: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Saturday (August 8, 2020) released the images that mapped the likely extent of the damage from the explosions that shook Lebanon’s Beirut on August 4.

NASA’s Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team, in collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore, used satellite-derived synthetic aperture radar data to map the damage.

A synthetic aperture radar data from the space shows ground surface changes from before and after a major event like an earthquake. In this case, it is being used to show the devastating result of an explosion.

“On the map, dark red pixels – like those present at and around the Port of Beirut – represent the most severe damage,” said NASA.

The American space agency added, “Areas in orange are moderately damaged and areas in yellow are likely to have sustained somewhat less damage. Each colored pixel represents an area of 30 meters (33 yards).”

Trump and Macron discuss sending aid to Lebanon over phone, conference call to be held on Sunday

Nivedya P T — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 10:27:40 +0000

U.S President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron spoke over the phone on Friday about sending aid to Lebanon in the aftermath of the major explosions which took place in the port at Beirut on Tuesday this week.

The two leaders “expressed their deep sadness over the loss of life and devastation in Beirut,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

Many countries have already poured in their support for Lebanon immediately after the disaster.

France had sent three planes with medical supplies, health equipment, and humanitarian teams. Large U.S aircraft with supplies and personnel were also sent aid Lebanon.

The U.S Agency for International Development on Friday said that it will provide more than $15 million in assistance, including food aid for 50,000 people for three months. Medical supplies and pharmaceutical supplies have also been extended by the U.S to help Lebanon which is under huge crisis due to a shortage of food and other supplies.

Trump also said on Twitter that a conference call will be held on Sunday with President Macron, leaders of Lebanon, and other Leaders from around the world to discuss aid to Lebanon.

Had a lengthy discussion this morning with President Macron of France concerning numerous subjects, but in particular the catastrophic event which took place in Beirut, Lebanon…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2020

President Emmanuel Macron visited Beirut on Thursday and offered France’s support for the Lebanese people. He also announced that France would organize an international aid conference to raise emergency relief funds and assured the people that aid to rebuild the city would not go to “corrupt hands”

The blast had taken the lives of more than 150 people, injured over 5,000, and caused immense destruction of property in the entire region. The cause of the blast is under investigation.

United States to send immediate help of $15 Million worth food & Medicine to Lebanon

Ruchit Purohit — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:57:12 +0000

The reports from AFP have stated that the United States are helping the people of Lebanon with food and medicines worth $15 million immediately on Friday evening as the country was affected by a major explosion in Beirut(Capital of Lebanon) on 4th August.

The recent reports have mentioned that this is the 3rd biggest explosion in the history after Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The blast on August 4 left 135 people dead and over 5000 people injured in the country.

As all other countries and the people pray for the people of Lebanon their own countrymen rushed to streets protesting angrily against the blast a day later after the incident happening as reported by SCMP News.

Days after massive explosions rocked #Beirut, Lebanese are taking to the streets in angry protests. https://t.co/yzhuanVgSk #BeirutBlasts pic.twitter.com/up9ZkdWeaP

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) August 7, 2020

WHO appeals for $15 Million Aid for Lebanon to cover emergency health needs

Muskan Jain — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 12:11:53 +0000

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is appealing for $15 million to cover emergency health needs in Lebanon following the Beirut port explosion that hit amid an economic crisis and rising coronavirus cases.

The blast, which killed 150 people and injured more than 5,000, also destroyed 17 containers holding WHO medical supplies including personal protective equipment, the agency’s regional office for the Middle East said in a statement late on Thursday.

Five hospitals in the area affected by Tuesday’s blast are either not functioning or partially functioning, and early reports indicate that many health centres and primary care facilities are also damaged or out of action, it said.

Up to 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes and need food or shelter, which “also risks accelerating the spread of COVID-19 and the outbreak of other diseases,” said Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative to Lebanon.

earlier Beirut: Prime minister Hassan Diab said in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.”

Diab’s speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands.

Investigation reports on massive explosion in Beirut leaves Lebanon disaster stricken

Nivedya P T — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:02:25 +0000

Two massive explosions in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, a country in western Asia on Tuesday has sent a panic wave across the country as death toll rises to almost 135 and the number of injured to over 5000.

Early investigation shows that the blasts were likely triggered by stockpiles of confiscated explosives such as Ammonium Nitrate stored in the port area. The blasts have rattled the city with its effect being felt as far as 100 miles away on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Following the blast, several people were left homeless, many are reported to be missing and the injured were seen staggering through the streets and being hurled out to the sea as the shock waves collapsed buildings and sent the seismic waves. The hospitals ran out of beds and equipment to attend to the wounded.

Rescue teams were seen pulling out bodies and hunting for people who went missing on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Hassa Diab declared mourning for three days from Thursday.

The disaster is a huge blow for the country, still going through the dreadful impact of the Civil War, economic meltdown, and now a surge in coronavirus infection.

Various offers of international support have been poured into Lebanon.

The Red Cross coordinated with the Health Ministry to set up morgues. The Gulf Arab States sent planes with medical equipment and other supplies. Iraq offered fuel aid and Iran, food, and a field hospital. Turkey has offered to send 20 doctors. The United States, Britain, and other western states also offered help to Lebanon. The explosions have also led to a food crisis in the country which was already struggling to feed the refugees fleeing conflict in Syria. The main grain silo of the country located in the port was also destroyed in the blast.

Massive fireworks explosion causes disruption in Beirut, Lebanon

Chittesh Dalmia — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 06:34:48 +0000

A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, destroying most of city’s port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. More than 70 people were killed and 3,000 injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said.

The blast struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germany’s geosciences center GFZ, and it was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200 kilometers (180 miles) across the Mediterranean.

Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said it might have been caused by highly explosive material that was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored at the port. Local television channel LBC said the material was sodium nitrate. Witnesses reported seeing a strange orange-colored cloud like that which appears when toxic nitrogen dioxide gas is released after an explosion involving nitrates.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo extended his deepest condolences to the people of Beirut and said the United States is closely monitoring the situation. ‘Our team in Beirut has reported to me the extensive damage to a city and a people that I hold dear, an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis,’ Pompeo said in a written statement.

Health Minister Hassan Hamad said emergency teams streamed in from across Lebanon to help, and the injured had to be taken to hospitals outside the capital. Hamad added that hospitals were barely coping and offers of aid were pouring in from Arab states and friends of Lebanon.

Beirut’s governor, Marwan Abboud, broke into tears as he toured the site. Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed that ‘those responsible will pay.’

Local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire then appeared to spread to a nearby building, triggering a more massive explosion, sending up a mushroom cloud and generating a shock wave.

One of Israel’s top bomb experts, Boaz Hayoun, said fireworks could have been a factor setting off the bigger blast. ‘Before the big explosion, … in the center of the fire, you can see sparks, you can hear sounds like popcorn and you can hear whistles’.

Some of those injured lay on the ground at the port, Associated Press staff at the scene said. A civil defense official said there were still bodies inside the port, many under debris.

The blast came at a time when Lebanon’s economy is facing collapse from the financial crisis and the coronavirus restrictions. Many have lost jobs, while the worth of their savings has evaporated as the currency has plunged in value against the dollar. The result has thrown many into poverty.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said one of its ships in the port was damaged and a number of its peacekeepers were injured.

It was reminiscent of Lebanon’s civil war and took place only three days before a UN-backed tribunal was set to give its verdict in the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a truck bombing more than 15 years ago.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet that his country was sending aid. Israel offered emergency assistance through international intermediaries, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Iran, Hezbollah’s patron, also said it was ready to help.

Massive Explosion at Beirut: Capital of Lebnan

News Desk — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 17:05:06 +0000

Beirut Explosion

The massive explosion struck the Beirut, capital of Lebanon this tuesday, rendering the city into havoc.

The cause of explosion remains unknown. However, there are severe casualties. According to the health minister of the country approximately hundreds of civilians are wounded.

Rising plumes of smoke covered the whole city. It has been reported that the explosion took place in some warehouse near the port. The second blast is reported to be at residence of Hairiri.

Explosion has shaken the whole city. Heaps of debris lay across the city. The radius covered of extreme casualties is 10 kilometers from the main blast site.

The blast is seen amidst its its already ongoing economical and geo – political crises.

This has caused the huge ruckus on the streets of Beirut.