Huge explosion rocked on Tuesday near the port of Beirut and the base of the Lebanese Navy.
According to Al Arabiya, there were two explosions, killing at least six people and wounding hundreds. As reported by the Lebanese Red Cross, dozens of people from different parts of the city were taken to hospitals. Reuters reported at least 10 dead people.
The facades of several buildings located near the port collapsed, and residential buildings and offices were damaged.
The building of the Russian Embassy was damaged, and one employee was injured.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Al Hadath TV channel does not rule out that a missile strike was launched on the port territory. According to it, the target of the attack, attributed to the Israeli air force, could be a warehouse of the Hezbollah radical movement. Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that the explosion occurred in a pyrotechnic warehouse.
The Governor of Beirut said that he lost contact with one of the fire brigades, its location is unknown. He also compared the incident to "the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki".
In Lebanon there are troubles with the Internet connection. There is no exact information about whether the problems are related to the explosion.
Reaction
The UN reported that they did not yet have information about what happened, as well as about the possible damage to the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
Turkey declared its readiness to provide all possible assistance to Lebanon in the aftermath of the explosion.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Public Domain
Based on materials from TASS