Powerful blasts rocked the capital city of Lebanon on Tuesday. The explosion caused a huge shockwave that damaged houses, shattered windows, and sent huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky. At least 73 people have been killed more than 3,700 injured. Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab revealed that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in the Beirut port warehouse causing mass destruction.
“It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures,” AFP quoting Prime Minister Hassan Diab as saying at a defence council meeting.
He added, “It is unacceptable and we cannot remain silent on this issue.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his shock. “Shocked and saddened by the large explosion in Beirut city leading to loss of life and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured (sic),” his office quoted him as saying in a tweet.
The blasts in Beirut was heard as far away as Nicosia on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Visuals of the disaster showed buildings shaking and wounded people stumbling along with the debris.
The explosion occurred ahead of the verdict of the trial of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was assassinated in February 2005.
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