A video circulating on social media showing a massive explosion ripping through Beirut in Lebanon has caused worldwide concern. In the video, you can see a huge fire at a warehouse, which is alleged to store fireworks. Moments later an enormous explosion pulsates through the city blowing out windows, causing massive damage and creating a mushroom cloud over the city.
You can hear people screaming during the recording. Social media reports suggest hundreds were killed and many others seriously injured in the explosions. There are scenes of people stuck under mounds of rubble, others bleeding on the streets. Witnesses describe the explosion as deafening.
Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud likened the scenes to Hiroshima. “It looks like what happened in Japan, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That’s what it reminds me of. I have never seen destruction on this scale in my life,” he said to a journalist in tears.
The exact cause of the explosions are still unknown at this stage. Reports suggest a fire broke out at an explosives depot at the port.
The Prime Minister of Lebanon Hasan Diab has declared Wednesday a day of mourning.
Beirut, Lebanon today please keep them in your prayers ? pic.twitter.com/cWYs9o6sy2
— Miral ?? (@MiralAli03) August 4, 2020
“It looks like what happened in Japan, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.That’s what it reminds me of. I have never seen destruction on this scale in my life.
-Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud cries as he explains to a journalist the scene of the destruction due to the explosion.#Beirut pic.twitter.com/pgNdCCAefv— Haseeb (@haseeb_425) August 4, 2020
In another heartbreaking tweet, a video shows a father trying to comfort his child after the blast.
This video of a father in #Beirut trying to comfort and protect his son from the blast moved me to tears. pic.twitter.com/BTkls3MSxI
— Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) August 4, 2020
The port of #Beirut has been completely destroyed in today’s massive explosion. This is #Lebanon’s main economic lifeline.
The economic crisis in our country – already worsened by US sanctions – is about to get much worse. pic.twitter.com/vxycOYVrCm
— Sarah Abdallah (@sahouraxo) August 4, 2020