Beirut: Frantic search for survivors hastens, dozens missing
August 8, 2020
The race to find survivors in the rubble in the Lebanese capital Beirut comes as more than 60 people remain missing. The Netherlands announced that the wife of the Dutch ambassador to Lebanon has died from her injuries.
Image: Getty Images/AFP
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Rescue teams are racing against the clock to find survivors buried beneath rubble in Beirut, as Lebanon's Health Ministry warned that Saturday could be the last day to find victims alive.
The massive explosion, centered at Beirut's port, killed at least 154 people and wounded over 5,000 others — while destroying a large swathe of the capital that has left some 300,000 residents homeless.
Sixty people remained missing.
The explosion, the biggest in Lebanon's history, came at a time when the country faces its worst economic and financial crisis in decades, hindering Beirut's recovery in the aftermath of the disaster.
The explosion of thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port, apparently set off by a fire, has caused an estimated $10-15 billion (€8-13 billion) worth of damage, Beirut's governor said.
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Dutch envoy's wife dies
The Dutch Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Hedwig Waltmans-Molier, the wife of the Netherlands' ambassador to Lebanon, has died from injuries sustained in the blast.
"We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of our colleague Hedwig Waltmans-Molier as a result of the huge explosion in Beirut. ... Her death is a loss for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for the country," it said in a statement.
Waltmans-Molier, who was at her home when the blast struck, also worked at the Foreign Ministry.
At least 43 Syrian nationals were among those killed in the explosion, Mayadeen TV channel reported, citing the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon.
Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit told reporters he would mobilize Arab efforts to support Lebanon.
"We are ready to help with all our means," he said, adding that he would take part in an international conference call to be organized by French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday to discuss aid for Lebanon.
Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay said Ankara is ready to help rebuild Beirut's port and that Turkey could transport injured Lebanese to Turkey for treatment.
Turkish authorities have sent a medical team and supplies as well as a search and rescue team.
Beirut braces for protests
Thousands of Lebanese gathered Saturdayfor mass anti-government protests amid widespread anger against the country's political leadership, which is blamed for endemic corruption and incompetence that contributed to the blasts.
Some protesters set up a mock gallows for the country's top politicians on Martyr's Square.
"After three days of cleaning, removing rubble and licking our wounds... it is time to let our anger explode and punish them," Fares Halabi, a 28-year-old activist, told French news agency AFP, adding that he plans to join the demonstration scheduled for the afternoon.
In pictures: Beirut blast aftermath — destruction, chaos and protests
A powerful explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, killing at least 150 people and injuring thousands more. Residents have taken to the streets to demand government reforms and resignations over the blast.
Image: Getty Images/D. Carde
Panic in Beirut
Two immense blasts shook Beirut and the surrounding areas of the Lebanese capital, prompting panic as residents rushed to safety. "I have never in my life seen a disaster this big," Beirut's governor told local TV.
Image: Reuters/M. Azakir
Blasts felt in city's outskirts
The explosions, centered in Beirut's port region, were felt throughout the capital. Even residents in the city's outskirts reported hearing the blast, with some saying their windows were shattered.
Image: Reuters/K. Sokhn
Dozens killed, thousands injured
Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 others were injured.
Image: Reuters/M. Azakir
'Unacceptable' ammonium nitrate stock
Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that a large stockpile of 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port had caused the second, larger explosion. "It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures," Diab said.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/STR
Race to save survivors
More than 30 Red Cross teams raced to the scene, with many locals lending a hand to aid rescue efforts. Hospitals warned that they were quickly filled beyond capacity — and called for blood donations as well as generators to help keep the electricity on.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/H. Shbaro
Felt as far away as Cyprus
The blasts struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germany's
geosciences center GFZ. Residents in Cyprus, some 110 miles (180 km) across the sea from Beirut, reported hearing and feeling the blast.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/STR
People are 'asking for their loved ones'
DW's Bassel Aridi said people were using social media to try to track down their loved ones after the explosions. Aridi also visited a hospital in Beirut after the blasts. "What I saw in the hospital was so dramatic. All the hospitals have announced that they are totally overloaded."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/H. Ammar
Two-week state of emergency
Lebanese authorities fear many more people are buried beneath rubble. President Michel Aoun scheduled an emergency Cabinet meeting for Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/STR
Lebanon faces double-blow
The devastating blasts come as Lebanon experiences severe economic turbulence, with many people taking to the streets in recent months to protest the financial situation. Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion.
Image: Getty Images/D. Carde
Protesters demand reforms and resignations
Thousands of protesters took to the streets four days after the explosion, blaming the blast on government corruption and mismanagement boiling. Protesters demanded government resignations and fresh elections, with many occupying government ministries. Police responded with tear gas.
Image: Reuters/G. Tomasevic
First resignation
Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad became the first government minister to resign in the wake of the blast, five days after it took place. "After the enormous Beirut catastrophe, I announce my resignation from government," she said in a statement carried by local media. She apologized to the people of Beirut for failing them.
