It is estimated that more of half of the Lebanese capital, Beirut was destroyed or damaged in Tuesday’s ammonium nitrate explosion.
SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE
A total of 113 people have so been confirmed as dead as rescue workers continue to search the rubble for trapped survivors. It is feared many more bodies may still be lying underneath the debris.
Rescue workers search for missing people in Beirut WATCH
The Lebanese Red Cross says some 4000 people were injured and already severely under-performing hospitals have become completely overwhelmed.
It is estimated that more than 300000 people were made homeless when 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate, unsafely stored at a port warehouse, caught fire and exploded.
Major explosion rocks Lebanon’s capital city WATCH
Lebanese President Michel Aoun cited ammonium nitrate as the source of the explosion, which leveled a three-story building and was heard across the city and its suburbs.