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Photos: Massive explosion jolts Beirut, leaves a trail of destruction

Beirut saw what is being called its deadliest explosion ever on August 4, after 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the seaport, detonated. The Lebanese Red Cross reports that at least 100 people have been killed in the ensuing blast and more than 4,000 have been found wounded so far with the count possibly rising as search and rescue operations progress. Along with the city’s residential buildings, hospitals and other infrastructure; Beirut’s main grain silo which is estimated to have stored the country’s 80% grain has also been destroyed – dealing another blow an already crippled economy.

Updated on: Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM IST

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A shockwave is seen during an explosion that rocked Beirut on August 4. a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across the Lebanese capital killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. The explosion is being termed the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from an economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. (Karim Sokhn/Instagram via REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

A shockwave is seen during an explosion that rocked Beirut on August 4. a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across the Lebanese capital killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. The explosion is being termed the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from an economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. (Karim Sokhn/Instagram via REUTERS)

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A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut on August 4. The blast destroyed numerous buildings, leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and are in the middle of currency crisis. The explosion also raises concerns about how Lebanon will continue to import nearly all of its vital goods with its main port devastated, the AP reported. (AFP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut on August 4. The blast destroyed numerous buildings, leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and are in the middle of currency crisis. The explosion also raises concerns about how Lebanon will continue to import nearly all of its vital goods with its main port devastated, the AP reported. (AFP)

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Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut on August 5. George Kettaneh, head of Lebanon’s Red Cross told Reuters that at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded. “We are still sweeping the area. There could still be victims. I hope not,” he said. (Hassan Ammar / AP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut on August 5. George Kettaneh, head of Lebanon’s Red Cross told Reuters that at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded. “We are still sweeping the area. There could still be victims. I hope not,” he said. (Hassan Ammar / AP)

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People wounded in the explosion pictured outside a hospital in Beirut on August 4. Scores of people were missing, with relatives pleading on social media for help locating loved ones, AP reported. An Instagram page called “Locating Victims Beirut” sprang up with photos of missing people, and radio presenters read the names of missing or wounded people throughout the night. (Ibrahim Amro / AFP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

People wounded in the explosion pictured outside a hospital in Beirut on August 4. Scores of people were missing, with relatives pleading on social media for help locating loved ones, AP reported. An Instagram page called “Locating Victims Beirut” sprang up with photos of missing people, and radio presenters read the names of missing or wounded people throughout the night. (Ibrahim Amro / AFP)

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Protective gloves seen scattered on the ground at a damaged hospital following the blast in Beirut on August 5. Lebanon has been in the throes of a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its hospitals are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals. (Mohamed Azakir / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

Protective gloves seen scattered on the ground at a damaged hospital following the blast in Beirut on August 5. Lebanon has been in the throes of a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its hospitals are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals. (Mohamed Azakir / REUTERS)

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Debris is seen on a main road in Beirut at sunset following the explosion in Beirut on August 4. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. (Marwan Tahtah / AFP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

Debris is seen on a main road in Beirut at sunset following the explosion in Beirut on August 4. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. (Marwan Tahtah / AFP)

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An aerial view of the destroyed silo sitting in rubble and debris after the explosion at Beirut seaport on August 5. Beirut’s major grain silo run by the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade is estimated to store 85% of the country’s grain. Drone footage by the AP showed that the blast tore open those grain silos, dumping their contents into the debris and earth thrown up by the blast. (Hussein Malla / AP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

An aerial view of the destroyed silo sitting in rubble and debris after the explosion at Beirut seaport on August 5. Beirut’s major grain silo run by the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade is estimated to store 85% of the country’s grain. Drone footage by the AP showed that the blast tore open those grain silos, dumping their contents into the debris and earth thrown up by the blast. (Hussein Malla / AP)

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Firefighters and locals evacuate a wounded man from the explosion scene at the port in Beirut on August 4. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 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.” (Anwar Amro / AFP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

Firefighters and locals evacuate a wounded man from the explosion scene at the port in Beirut on August 4. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 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.” (Anwar Amro / AFP)

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Ambulances drive past the explosion site in Beirut on August 4. AP reported that messages of support have poured in from around the world for Lebanon, whose economy was already on its knees after defaulting on sovereign debt earlier this year. The US, France, Qatar, Iran and even Lebanon’s long-standing enemy Israel have offered to send aid. (Hassan Ammar / AP)

Updated on Aug 05, 2020 3:22 PM

Ambulances drive past the explosion site in Beirut on August 4. AP reported that messages of support have poured in from around the world for Lebanon, whose economy was already on its knees after defaulting on sovereign debt earlier this year. The US, France, Qatar, Iran and even Lebanon’s long-standing enemy Israel have offered to send aid. (Hassan Ammar / AP)

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