Before he went missing on Aug. 4, Ghassan Hasrouty, an employee of Beirut's giant grain silos for 38 years, thought he was working in the safest place in the city.

The reinforced concrete walls and underground rooms were his shelter for many days during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

He used to tell his family that he was more worried for them than himself when he set out to work each morning.

At 1730 on Tuesday, Hasrouty called his wife, Ibtissam, saying he would be sleeping at the silos that night because a shipment of grains was arriving and he could not leave.

He told her to send him a blanket and pillow.

She has not heard from him since.

Tuesday's explosion in the port of Beirut, the biggest ever to hit the city, destroyed the silos, killed at least 158 people and injured more than 6,000. It left an estimated 300,000 Lebanese effectively homeless as shockwaves ripped miles inland.

The health ministry on Saturday said 21 people were still missing.

Officials have said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a substance used in manufacturing fertilizers and bombs, which had been stored for six years in a nearby warehouse without adequate safety measures.

The government has promised to hold those responsible to account, but residents are seething with anger.

Hasrouty's family believe that he and six of his colleagues are somewhere under the silos and they are holding out hope that they are alive.

They say the rescue response has been too slow and disorganised and that whatever chance there was for finding them alive is being lost.

The family says that despite giving the authorities the exact location of where he was believed to have been at the time of the explosion, the rescue effort did not start until 40 hours later.

At their home in Beirut, the family has gathered every day, anxiously awaiting information.

"These people who are missing are not just numbers," says Elie, 35, Hasrouty's son.

"We need to highlight the mediocrity of management of this disaster, of this situation, how bad it is managed... not to repeat such a horrible disaster and horrible management."

Hasrouty, whose own father worked at the same silos for 40 years, was dedicated to his job, his family says. 
His daughter Tatiana, 19, flits between resignation and hope.

"We did not even get a chance to say goodbye," she says. "But we are still waiting for them... to all come back."

Before he went missing on Aug. 4, Ghassan Hasrouty, an employee of Beirut's giant grain silos for 38 years, thought he was working in the safest place in the city.

Before he went missing on Aug. 4, Ghassan Hasrouty, an employee of Beirut's giant grain silos for 38 years, thought he was working in the safest place in the city. The reinforced concrete walls and underground rooms were his shelter for many days during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. He used to tell his family that he was more worried for them than himself when he set out to work each morning. At 1730 on Tuesday, Hasrouty called his wife, Ibtissam, saying he would be sleeping at the silos that night because a shipment of grains was arriving and he could not leave. He told her to send him a blanket and pillow. She has not heard from him since. Tuesday's explosion in the port of Beirut, the biggest ever to hit the city, destroyed the silos, killed at least 158 people and injured more than 6,000. It left an estimated 300,000 Lebanese effectively homeless as shockwaves ripped miles inland. The health ministry on Saturday said 21 people were still missing. Officials have said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a substance used in manufacturing fertilizers and bombs, which had been stored for six years in a nearby warehouse without adequate safety measures. The government has promised to hold those responsible to account, but residents are seething with anger. Hasrouty's family believe that he and six of his colleagues are somewhere under the silos and they are holding out hope that they are alive. They say the rescue response has been too slow and disorganised and that whatever chance there was for finding them alive is being lost. The family says that despite giving the authorities the exact location of where he was believed to have been at the time of the explosion, the rescue effort did not start until 40 hours later. At their home in Beirut, the family has gathered every day, anxiously awaiting information. "These people who are missing are not just numbers," says Elie, 35, Hasrouty's son. "We need to highlight the mediocrity of management of this disaster, of this situation, how bad it is managed... not to repeat such a horrible disaster and horrible management." Hasrouty, whose own father worked at the same silos for 40 years, was dedicated to his job, his family says. His daughter Tatiana, 19, flits between resignation and hope. "We did not even get a chance to say goodbye," she says. "But we are still waiting for them... to all come back."

'They are not just numbers': Missing Beirut silo worker's family clings to hope

More than 160 people were killed in the blast, around 6,000 were injured and thousands of residential buildings and offices were damaged.

Deadly explosion in Beirut decimates Sursock Palace

Lebanon's justice minister resigned on Monday, becoming the third from the cabinet to quit following the deadly explosion in the capital Beirut.&nbsp;

Marie Claude Najem handed over her resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose government is scheduled to meet today in the evening to discuss the blast on August 4 that killed at least 158 people and injured about 6,000.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-for-lebanon-to-hold-transparent-investigation-into-blast-319274">Trump calls for Lebanon to hold 'transparent investigation' into blast</a>

Earlier on Thursday, Najem visited the site of the incident, where she faced a group of angry protesters, who hurled bottles towards her, asking her to leave the place.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commission-doubles-its-lebanon-aid-to-63-million-euros-319268">European Commission doubles its Lebanon aid to 63 million euros</a>

On Sunday, information minister Manal Abdel Samad and environment minister Damianos Kattar resigned as escalating protests against Diab government continue to rise.&nbsp;

Earlier, hundreds of demonstrators on Monday too gathered around Martyrs' Square near the port that saw the explosion amid the rising anger against the government.&nbsp;

"Those who died paid the price of a state that doesn't care about anything except power and money," said Tamara, 23, a protester who lost her friend Rawan, 20, in the blast, as quoted by news agency AFP.

"It's not enough that ministers resign," said her friend Michel.

Police started firing teargas after protesters threw stones towards them and carried out fireworks near a street leading to Parliament.&nbsp;

Lebanon's justice minister resigned on Monday, becoming the third from the cabinet to quit following the deadly explosion in the capital Beirut. Marie Claude Najem handed over her resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose government is scheduled to meet today in the evening to discuss the blast on August 4 that killed at least 158 people and injured about 6,000.

Lebanon's justice minister resigned on Monday, becoming the third from the cabinet to quit following the deadly explosion in the capital Beirut. Marie Claude Najem handed over her resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose government is scheduled to meet today in the evening to discuss the blast on August 4 that killed at least 158 people and injured about 6,000. Also read | Trump calls for Lebanon to hold 'transparent investigation' into blast Earlier on Thursday, Najem visited the site of the incident, where she faced a group of angry protesters, who hurled bottles towards her, asking her to leave the place. Also read | European Commission doubles its Lebanon aid to 63 million euros On Sunday, information minister Manal Abdel Samad and environment minister Damianos Kattar resigned as escalating protests against Diab government continue to rise. Earlier, hundreds of demonstrators on Monday too gathered around Martyrs' Square near the port that saw the explosion amid the rising anger against the government. "Those who died paid the price of a state that doesn't care about anything except power and money," said Tamara, 23, a protester who lost her friend Rawan, 20, in the blast, as quoted by news agency AFP. "It's not enough that ministers resign," said her friend Michel. Police started firing teargas after protesters threw stones towards them and carried out fireworks near a street leading to Parliament.

Now, Lebanon's justice minister quits amid protests over Beirut blasts

The wife of Dutch ambassador to Lebanon Jan Waltmans has died of wounds sustained in the Beirut bomb explosion, the Netherlands' foreign ministry said Saturday.

"It is with dismay and great sadness that we report the death of our colleague Hedwig Waltmans-Molier. She succumbed to injuries sustained in the massive explosion in Beirut," a ministry statement said.

Waltmans-Molier was hit by debris from the explosion shortly after returning back to Lebanon from holiday with her husband of 38 years.

"Hedwig was standing in her living room next to her husband when she was hit, sheerly by bad lack, by the explosion," the ministry said.

The 55-year-old was the only Dutch citizen reported to have died from the explosion that rocked&nbsp;Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 154 and devastating swathes of the capital.

Five other Dutch citizens were slightly injured, the ministry said.

The wife of Dutch ambassador to Lebanon Jan Waltmans has died of wounds sustained in the Beirut bomb explosion, the Netherlands' foreign ministry said Saturday. "It is with dismay and great sadness that we report the death of our colleague Hedwig Waltmans-Molier.

The wife of Dutch ambassador to Lebanon Jan Waltmans has died of wounds sustained in the Beirut bomb explosion, the Netherlands' foreign ministry said Saturday. "It is with dismay and great sadness that we report the death of our colleague Hedwig Waltmans-Molier. She succumbed to injuries sustained in the massive explosion in Beirut," a ministry statement said. Waltmans-Molier was hit by debris from the explosion shortly after returning back to Lebanon from holiday with her husband of 38 years. "Hedwig was standing in her living room next to her husband when she was hit, sheerly by bad lack, by the explosion," the ministry said. The 55-year-old was the only Dutch citizen reported to have died from the explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 154 and devastating swathes of the capital. Five other Dutch citizens were slightly injured, the ministry said.

Dutch ambassador's wife, injured in Beirut explosion, dies: Netherlands

A policeman was killed during the clashes with protesters, when they stormed Lebanese government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks on Saturday. Shots rang out in increasingly angry demonstrations over this week's devastating explosion.

The protesters said their politicians should resign and be punished for negligence they say led to Tuesday’s blast, the biggest ever to hit Beirut, that killed 158 people and injured more than 6,000.

The said policeman at the scene said the officer died when he fell into an elevator shaft in a nearby building after being chased by protesters. The Red Cross said it had treated 117 people for injuries on the scene while another 55 were taken to hospital. Policemen wounded by stones were treated by ambulance workers. A fire broke out in central Martyrs' Square.

Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said.

Police confirmed shots and rubber bullets had been fired.

TV footage showed protesters also breaking into the energy and economy ministries. They chanted "the people want the fall of the regime", reprising a popular chant from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. They held posters saying "Leave, you are all killers".

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the U.S. government supported the demonstrators` right to peaceful protest and urged all involved to refrain from violence.

The embassy also said in a tweet that the Lebanese people "deserved leaders who listen to them and change course to respond to popular demands for transparency and accountability".

Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the only way out was early parliamentary elections.

Tuesday`s blast was the biggest in Beirut`s history. Twenty-one people were still reported as missing from the explosion, which gutted entire neighbourhoods.

The government has promised to hold those responsible to account.

"Resign or hang," said one banner at the demonstration.

The prime minister and presidency have said 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in making fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port warehouse.

French President Emmanuel Macron flew from Paris and went straight to the scene to pay his tribute. He promised aid to rebuild the city would not fall into "corrupt hands". He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video link on Sunday, his office said. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will join. 
&nbsp;

A policeman was killed during the clashes with protesters, when they stormed Lebanese government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks on Saturday.

A policeman was killed during the clashes with protesters, when they stormed Lebanese government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks on Saturday. Shots rang out in increasingly angry demonstrations over this week's devastating explosion. The protesters said their politicians should resign and be punished for negligence they say led to Tuesday’s blast, the biggest ever to hit Beirut, that killed 158 people and injured more than 6,000. The said policeman at the scene said the officer died when he fell into an elevator shaft in a nearby building after being chased by protesters. The Red Cross said it had treated 117 people for injuries on the scene while another 55 were taken to hospital. Policemen wounded by stones were treated by ambulance workers. A fire broke out in central Martyrs' Square. Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said. Police confirmed shots and rubber bullets had been fired. TV footage showed protesters also breaking into the energy and economy ministries. They chanted "the people want the fall of the regime", reprising a popular chant from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. They held posters saying "Leave, you are all killers". The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the U.S. government supported the demonstrators` right to peaceful protest and urged all involved to refrain from violence. The embassy also said in a tweet that the Lebanese people "deserved leaders who listen to them and change course to respond to popular demands for transparency and accountability". Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the only way out was early parliamentary elections. Tuesday`s blast was the biggest in Beirut`s history. Twenty-one people were still reported as missing from the explosion, which gutted entire neighbourhoods. The government has promised to hold those responsible to account. "Resign or hang," said one banner at the demonstration. The prime minister and presidency have said 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in making fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port warehouse. French President Emmanuel Macron flew from Paris and went straight to the scene to pay his tribute. He promised aid to rebuild the city would not fall into "corrupt hands". He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video link on Sunday, his office said. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will join.

Anger over Beirut blast grows; policeman killed in clashes with protesters

The explosion that ripped through Beirut this week handed a resurgent protest movement an unexpected and brief victory Saturday, almost literally breaking down the doors of the foreign ministry.

The famed imperial staircase at the ministry's entrance was packed with some 200 demonstrators and retired army officers, who called the ministry the new headquarters of their uprising -- before soldiers arrived three hours later to force everybody out.

Some brandished nooses in a display of seething anger over a deadly Tuesday blast that killed more than 150 people and wounded at least 6,000.

The explosion that disfigured the city and shocked the world is widely perceived as a direct consequence of the incompetence and corruption that have come to define Lebanon's ruling class.

At first, "there were about 100 of us," said Tony Kayrouz, one of a group of retired army officers who led the takeover.

"There were a few policemen manning the gate, they opened it, and we entered, there were no scuffles," Kayrouz told AFP.

The retired army officers were led by a former general who once answered to President Michel Aoun, when he was the country's military chief in the 1980's.

"President Michel Aoun did not respect his oath" said General Samer Rammah, who led the small group.

"I had hope in Aoun," the general said, but now, "this republic is run like a farm."

Rammah and retired army officers have been a mainstay of a protest movement that started in October to demand the removal of a political class deemed inept and corrupt.

Many are boiling in anger over the country's economic woes, which include the collapse of the Lebanese pound that has devalued their pensions.

"Our pensions are now worth 20 or 40 dollars (a month), while deputies and the ministers eat away at the country", one retired soldier said.

"The people must reclaim what is theirs".

- 'Capital of the revolution' -

Demonstrators at the ministry unfurled a banner that covered the entire facade of the building.

"Beirut, capital of the revolution," it read.

"Congratulations, we have reclaimed the ministry," rejoiced one protester.

Beneath elegant wall engravings, protesters pulled Aoun's portrait off the wall and smashed it on the ground, where it was repeatedly stepped on.

Portraits of every top diplomat that ever headed the ministry were arranged on a wall cracked by the blast, but one former foreign minister was missing: Gebran Bassil, Aoun's son-in-law and head of the Free Patriotic Movement, founded by the president.

Bassil was one of the main targets of October's protest movement and has since become a highly reviled figure among activists and demonstrators.

It was not clear if his picture was dislodged by the blast or removed by protestors who stormed the foreign ministry on Saturday.

Visitors relished the takeover, posing behind a pulpit usually used for diplomatic press conferences. Others wandered into conference rooms and offices, where they snapped selfies.

"This is where Gebran Bassil once sat," scoffed one protester, pointing to a stylish sofa lacking an armrest.

"Isn't there any other ministry we could storm?" quipped another, as groups raided the nearby ministries of energy and the economy.

But the foreign ministry takeover was cut short when a large army reinforcement muscled in, forcing everyone out.

The explosion that ripped through Beirut this week handed a resurgent protest movement an unexpected and brief victory Saturday, almost literally breaking down the doors of the foreign ministry.

The explosion that ripped through Beirut this week handed a resurgent protest movement an unexpected and brief victory Saturday, almost literally breaking down the doors of the foreign ministry. The famed imperial staircase at the ministry's entrance was packed with some 200 demonstrators and retired army officers, who called the ministry the new headquarters of their uprising -- before soldiers arrived three hours later to force everybody out. Some brandished nooses in a display of seething anger over a deadly Tuesday blast that killed more than 150 people and wounded at least 6,000. The explosion that disfigured the city and shocked the world is widely perceived as a direct consequence of the incompetence and corruption that have come to define Lebanon's ruling class. At first, "there were about 100 of us," said Tony Kayrouz, one of a group of retired army officers who led the takeover. "There were a few policemen manning the gate, they opened it, and we entered, there were no scuffles," Kayrouz told AFP. The retired army officers were led by a former general who once answered to President Michel Aoun, when he was the country's military chief in the 1980's. "President Michel Aoun did not respect his oath" said General Samer Rammah, who led the small group. "I had hope in Aoun," the general said, but now, "this republic is run like a farm." Rammah and retired army officers have been a mainstay of a protest movement that started in October to demand the removal of a political class deemed inept and corrupt. Many are boiling in anger over the country's economic woes, which include the collapse of the Lebanese pound that has devalued their pensions. "Our pensions are now worth 20 or 40 dollars (a month), while deputies and the ministers eat away at the country", one retired soldier said. "The people must reclaim what is theirs". - 'Capital of the revolution' - Demonstrators at the ministry unfurled a banner that covered the entire facade of the building. "Beirut, capital of the revolution," it read. "Congratulations, we have reclaimed the ministry," rejoiced one protester. Beneath elegant wall engravings, protesters pulled Aoun's portrait off the wall and smashed it on the ground, where it was repeatedly stepped on. Portraits of every top diplomat that ever headed the ministry were arranged on a wall cracked by the blast, but one former foreign minister was missing: Gebran Bassil, Aoun's son-in-law and head of the Free Patriotic Movement, founded by the president. Bassil was one of the main targets of October's protest movement and has since become a highly reviled figure among activists and demonstrators. It was not clear if his picture was dislodged by the blast or removed by protestors who stormed the foreign ministry on Saturday. Visitors relished the takeover, posing behind a pulpit usually used for diplomatic press conferences. Others wandered into conference rooms and offices, where they snapped selfies. "This is where Gebran Bassil once sat," scoffed one protester, pointing to a stylish sofa lacking an armrest. "Isn't there any other ministry we could storm?" quipped another, as groups raided the nearby ministries of energy and the economy. But the foreign ministry takeover was cut short when a large army reinforcement muscled in, forcing everyone out.

How Beirut blast briefly handed foreign ministry to protesters

The massive explosion in Beirut killed over 150 people and injured 5,000 others on Tuesday. It also caused an estimated $3 billion in damage and leaving 300,000 people homeless in an instant.

The loss is unprecedented as it is huge. To this end, social media users have taken to educate their fellow countrymen about the extent of the damage caused by Tuesday’s ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut.

They have started a new viral trend -- exploring how major cities in their countries would be affected if they were rocked by a blast of similar magnitude.

The trend has seen participation from people from Los Angeles, Hong Kong, London, Prague, Chicago, Cork, Kathmandu, and many others.

These users contextualised the scale of the disaster, and also raised money for disaster relief.

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1/x This morning I woke up to see viral maps incorrectly comparing the damage area of the Beirut explosion to London and New York. I have corrected the maps with a little thread to explain my corrections. img 1. tweet with my notes. img 2-4. my new maps. <a href="https://t.co/nz9Q1X0wLt">pic.twitter.com/nz9Q1X0wLt</a>
— Joanna Merson (@JoannaMerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoannaMerson/status/1291095463119056896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Terrifying map reveals what the Beirut explosion would've looked like if the closest Ammonium Nitrate depot in Toronto exploded <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Toronto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/torontorealestate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#torontorealestate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeirutBlast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeirutBlast</a> <a href="https://t.co/2qHVcDxETn">pic.twitter.com/2qHVcDxETn</a>
— Steve (@gabberghoul) <a href="https://twitter.com/gabberghoul/status/1291525321402003457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Okay though, seriously, here's what it would look like if a ship full were unloaded in the Portlands <a href="https://t.co/kZyzGsiP4V">pic.twitter.com/kZyzGsiP4V</a>
— Steve (@gabberghoul) <a href="https://twitter.com/gabberghoul/status/1291525772629413897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Comparable - Halifax to Beirut explosions via maps <a href="https://t.co/r2NCwpa15I">pic.twitter.com/r2NCwpa15I</a>
— 🇨🇦🍁Cheryl🍁🇨🇦CANADA🍁🇨🇦 (@mini_bubbly) <a href="https://twitter.com/mini_bubbly/status/1290804168135827456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Beirut blast was so intense that Cyprus felt its tremor 240 km away. To understand the force, I tried translating the impact on Nepal's map. If Narayanhiti (KTM) were the center, the tremor would be felt in six-eight districts surrounding Kathmandu. That's a massive area. <a href="https://t.co/iPpFpGFJR0">pic.twitter.com/iPpFpGFJR0</a>
— Bikash Gupta (@iambikashgupta) <a href="https://twitter.com/iambikashgupta/status/1291591723504660480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The comparison between what happened in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Beirut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Beirut</a> with a similar explosion in New York City or London is brutal &amp; sobering <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeirutExplosion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeirutExplosion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lebanon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lebanon</a> <a href="https://t.co/x3NczLRNLY">pic.twitter.com/x3NczLRNLY</a>
— John Cope (@john_cope) <a href="https://twitter.com/john_cope/status/1291083948760629254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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With thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/JoannaMerson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoannaMerson</a>, more accurate (but just as horrifying) maps are now available: <a href="https://t.co/YRuXoIHeof">pic.twitter.com/YRuXoIHeof</a>
— John Cope (@john_cope) <a href="https://twitter.com/john_cope/status/1291304043965550597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Beirut blast was so powerful that it was felt as far away as northern Israel and Cyprus (240 km away), and measured as a 4.5 local magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale by the Seismological Observatory in Jordan.&nbsp; 
Observers estimate that the blast had an explosive yield of between 200 and 500 hundred tonnes of TNT.

The massive explosion in Beirut killed over 150 people and injured 5,000 others on Tuesday. It also caused an estimated $3 billion in damage and leaving 300,000 people homeless in an instant.

The massive explosion in Beirut killed over 150 people and injured 5,000 others on Tuesday. It also caused an estimated $3 billion in damage and leaving 300,000 people homeless in an instant. The loss is unprecedented as it is huge. To this end, social media users have taken to educate their fellow countrymen about the extent of the damage caused by Tuesday’s ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut. They have started a new viral trend -- exploring how major cities in their countries would be affected if they were rocked by a blast of similar magnitude. The trend has seen participation from people from Los Angeles, Hong Kong, London, Prague, Chicago, Cork, Kathmandu, and many others. These users contextualised the scale of the disaster, and also raised money for disaster relief. 1/x This morning I woke up to see viral maps incorrectly comparing the damage area of the Beirut explosion to London and New York. I have corrected the maps with a little thread to explain my corrections. img 1. tweet with my notes. img 2-4. my new maps. pic.twitter.com/nz9Q1X0wLt — Joanna Merson (@JoannaMerson) August 5, 2020 × Terrifying map reveals what the Beirut explosion would've looked like if the closest Ammonium Nitrate depot in Toronto exploded #Toronto #torontorealestate #BeirutBlast pic.twitter.com/2qHVcDxETn — Steve (@gabberghoul) August 7, 2020 × Okay though, seriously, here's what it would look like if a ship full were unloaded in the Portlands pic.twitter.com/kZyzGsiP4V — Steve (@gabberghoul) August 7, 2020 × Comparable - Halifax to Beirut explosions via maps pic.twitter.com/r2NCwpa15I — 🇨🇦🍁Cheryl🍁🇨🇦CANADA🍁🇨🇦 (@mini_bubbly) August 5, 2020 × Beirut blast was so intense that Cyprus felt its tremor 240 km away. To understand the force, I tried translating the impact on Nepal's map. If Narayanhiti (KTM) were the center, the tremor would be felt in six-eight districts surrounding Kathmandu. That's a massive area. pic.twitter.com/iPpFpGFJR0 — Bikash Gupta (@iambikashgupta) August 7, 2020 × The comparison between what happened in #Beirut with a similar explosion in New York City or London is brutal & sobering #BeirutExplosion #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/x3NczLRNLY — John Cope (@john_cope) August 5, 2020 × With thanks to @JoannaMerson, more accurate (but just as horrifying) maps are now available: pic.twitter.com/YRuXoIHeof — John Cope (@john_cope) August 6, 2020 × The Beirut blast was so powerful that it was felt as far away as northern Israel and Cyprus (240 km away), and measured as a 4.5 local magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale by the Seismological Observatory in Jordan. Observers estimate that the blast had an explosive yield of between 200 and 500 hundred tonnes of TNT.

Social media users inlay Beirut blast radius over their cities to contextualise the disaster

What's the unsolved mystery behind the Beirut Blast? Get to know in this video..

WION Exclusive Ground Report: The unsolved mystery behind the Beirut Blast

Exclusive visuals from the Beirut blast site. Watch in these visual, after the enormous blast, how the epicenter looks like?

Exclusive visuals from the Beirut blast site

Riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators trying to break through a barrier to get to the parliament building in Beirut on Saturday during a protest over the government's handling of this week's devastating explosion in the city.

About 5,000 people gathered in Martyrs' Square in the city centre, some throwing stones. Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said.

The protesters chanted "the people want the fall of the regime," and held posters saying "Leave, you are all killers."

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beirut-explosion-created-massive-crater-at-port-satellite-imagery-shows-318495">&nbsp;Beirut explosion created massive crater at port, satellite imagery shows</a>

"We want a future with dignity, we don’t want the blood of the victims of the explosion wasted," said Rose Sirour, one of the demonstrators.

Tuesday's blast in the port, the biggest explosion in Beirut's history, killed 154 people, injured 5,000 and destroyed a swathe of the city.

The government has promised to hold those responsible to account.

Some residents, struggling to clean up shattered homes, complain the government they see as corrupt - there had been months of protests against its handling of a deep economic crisis before this week's disaster - has let them down again.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beiruts-accidental-cargo-how-an-unscheduled-port-visit-led-to-disaster-318756">Beirut's accidental cargo: How an unscheduled port visit led to disaster</a>

"We have no trust in our government," said university student Celine Dibo as she scrubbed blood off the walls of her shattered apartment building. "I wish the United Nations would take over Lebanon."

Several people said they were not at all surprised that French President Emmanuel Macron had visited their gutted neighbourhoods this week while Lebanese leaders had not.

"We are living in ground zero. I hope another country would just take us over. Our leaders are a bunch of corrupt people," said psychologist Maryse Hayek, 48, whose parents' house was destroyed in the explosion.

Lebanon's Kataeb Party, a Christian group that opposes the government backed by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, announced on Saturday the resignation of its three lawmakers from parliament.

"I invite all honourable (lawmakers) to resign so that the people can decide who will govern them, without anybody imposing anything to them," said party chief Samy Gemayel, announcing the move during the funeral of a leading member of the group who died in the explosion.

Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, promised angry crowds that aid to rebuild the city would not fall into "corrupt hands". He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video-link on Sunday, his office said.

The prime minister and presidency have said 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in making fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port warehouse.

President Michel Aoun said on Friday an investigation would examine whether it was caused by a bomb or other external interference. Aoun said the investigation would also weigh if the blast was due to negligence or an accident. Twenty people had been detained so far, he added.

'We can't afford to rebuild'

Some residents wondered how they would ever rebuild their lives.

Tearing up, Bilal Hassan used his bare hands to try to remove debris from his home. He has been sleeping on a dusty couch besides pieces of splintered glass.

When his three wounded teenage children ran for their lives they left blood stains on the staircase and walls.

"There is really nothing we can do. We can't afford to rebuild and no one is helping us," he said, standing beside a large teddy bear that was blown across his home, and a damaged photograph of him and his wife.

Bulldozers ploughed through the wreckage of mangled homes and long rows of flattened cars as soldiers stood by. Volunteers with shovels streamed through streets.

Danielle Chemaly said her charity organisation, whose headquarters was destroyed, had provided assistance to 70 families who were left homeless.

"We have given people initial help but we don't know what we can do for families in the future. It requires major projects," she said.

Officials have said the blast could have caused losses amounting to $15 billion. That is a bill that Lebanon cannot pay after already defaulting on a mountain of debt - exceeding 150% of economic output - and with talks stalled on a lifeline from the International Monetary Fund.

Aid from abroad&nbsp;

France and other countries have rushed emergency aid to Lebanon, including doctors, and tons of health equipment and food. The blast destroyed Lebanon's only major grain silo and U.N. agencies are helping provide emergency food and medical aid.

Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said after a meeting with Aoun on Saturday he would seek to mobilise Arab efforts to provide support to Lebanon. Also speaking after meeting Aoun, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said his country is ready to help rebuild the port.

For ordinary Lebanese, the scale of destruction is overwhelming.

"It felt like a mini atomic bomb," said George Rohana, sitting beside a supermarket that was demolished.

Marita Abou Jawda was handing out bread and cheese to victims of the blast.

"Macron offered to help and our government has not done anything. It has always been like that," she said. "After Macron visited I played the French national anthem all day in my car."

Riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators trying to break through a barrier to get to the parliament building in Beirut on Saturday during a protest over the government's handling of this week's devastating explosion in the city.

Riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators trying to break through a barrier to get to the parliament building in Beirut on Saturday during a protest over the government's handling of this week's devastating explosion in the city. About 5,000 people gathered in Martyrs' Square in the city centre, some throwing stones. Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said. The protesters chanted "the people want the fall of the regime," and held posters saying "Leave, you are all killers." Also read: Beirut explosion created massive crater at port, satellite imagery shows "We want a future with dignity, we don’t want the blood of the victims of the explosion wasted," said Rose Sirour, one of the demonstrators. Tuesday's blast in the port, the biggest explosion in Beirut's history, killed 154 people, injured 5,000 and destroyed a swathe of the city. The government has promised to hold those responsible to account. Some residents, struggling to clean up shattered homes, complain the government they see as corrupt - there had been months of protests against its handling of a deep economic crisis before this week's disaster - has let them down again. Also read: Beirut's accidental cargo: How an unscheduled port visit led to disaster "We have no trust in our government," said university student Celine Dibo as she scrubbed blood off the walls of her shattered apartment building. "I wish the United Nations would take over Lebanon." Several people said they were not at all surprised that French President Emmanuel Macron had visited their gutted neighbourhoods this week while Lebanese leaders had not. "We are living in ground zero. I hope another country would just take us over. Our leaders are a bunch of corrupt people," said psychologist Maryse Hayek, 48, whose parents' house was destroyed in the explosion. Lebanon's Kataeb Party, a Christian group that opposes the government backed by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, announced on Saturday the resignation of its three lawmakers from parliament. "I invite all honourable (lawmakers) to resign so that the people can decide who will govern them, without anybody imposing anything to them," said party chief Samy Gemayel, announcing the move during the funeral of a leading member of the group who died in the explosion. Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, promised angry crowds that aid to rebuild the city would not fall into "corrupt hands". He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video-link on Sunday, his office said. The prime minister and presidency have said 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in making fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port warehouse. President Michel Aoun said on Friday an investigation would examine whether it was caused by a bomb or other external interference. Aoun said the investigation would also weigh if the blast was due to negligence or an accident. Twenty people had been detained so far, he added. 'We can't afford to rebuild' Some residents wondered how they would ever rebuild their lives. Tearing up, Bilal Hassan used his bare hands to try to remove debris from his home. He has been sleeping on a dusty couch besides pieces of splintered glass. When his three wounded teenage children ran for their lives they left blood stains on the staircase and walls. "There is really nothing we can do. We can't afford to rebuild and no one is helping us," he said, standing beside a large teddy bear that was blown across his home, and a damaged photograph of him and his wife. Bulldozers ploughed through the wreckage of mangled homes and long rows of flattened cars as soldiers stood by. Volunteers with shovels streamed through streets. Danielle Chemaly said her charity organisation, whose headquarters was destroyed, had provided assistance to 70 families who were left homeless. "We have given people initial help but we don't know what we can do for families in the future. It requires major projects," she said. Officials have said the blast could have caused losses amounting to $15 billion. That is a bill that Lebanon cannot pay after already defaulting on a mountain of debt - exceeding 150% of economic output - and with talks stalled on a lifeline from the International Monetary Fund. Aid from abroad France and other countries have rushed emergency aid to Lebanon, including doctors, and tons of health equipment and food. The blast destroyed Lebanon's only major grain silo and U.N. agencies are helping provide emergency food and medical aid. Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said after a meeting with Aoun on Saturday he would seek to mobilise Arab efforts to provide support to Lebanon. Also speaking after meeting Aoun, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said his country is ready to help rebuild the port. For ordinary Lebanese, the scale of destruction is overwhelming. "It felt like a mini atomic bomb," said George Rohana, sitting beside a supermarket that was demolished. Marita Abou Jawda was handing out bread and cheese to victims of the blast. "Macron offered to help and our government has not done anything. It has always been like that," she said. "After Macron visited I played the French national anthem all day in my car."

Police fire tear gas at Beirut protesters angry over explosion

A Lebanese businessman whose cruise ship was destroyed and in the Beirut port explosion has filed a lawsuit against those who will be found responsible for this week's blast.

According to Lebanon's state-run National News agency, the lady had some staff members killed and wounded.

Orient Queen owner Merhi Abou Merhi on Friday became the first person to sue over the Tuesday explosion that killed at least 154 people, wounded more than 5,000 and damaged wide parts of the Lebanese capital.

Two Orient Queen employees, a Syrian and an Ethiopian, were killed and seven others were wounded in the blast.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanons-hezbollah-leader-denies-storing-arms-at-beirut-blast-site-318967">Also read | Lebanon's Hezbollah leader denies storing arms at Beirut blast site</a>

Lebanon's state news agency says the chief of the customs department has been questioned by a judge over this week's deadly blast in Beirut, after which the judge placed him under arrest.

Sixteen other port officials and staffers are also under arrest.

Daher has said he and his predecessor sent six letters, the last of which was in 2017, to a judge, warning repeatedly that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger. They had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it.

(with inputs from agencies)

A Lebanese businessman whose cruise ship was destroyed and in the Beirut port explosion has filed a lawsuit against those who will be found responsible for this week's blast.

A Lebanese businessman whose cruise ship was destroyed and in the Beirut port explosion has filed a lawsuit against those who will be found responsible for this week's blast. According to Lebanon's state-run National News agency, the lady had some staff members killed and wounded. Orient Queen owner Merhi Abou Merhi on Friday became the first person to sue over the Tuesday explosion that killed at least 154 people, wounded more than 5,000 and damaged wide parts of the Lebanese capital. Two Orient Queen employees, a Syrian and an Ethiopian, were killed and seven others were wounded in the blast. Also read | Lebanon's Hezbollah leader denies storing arms at Beirut blast site Lebanon's state news agency says the chief of the customs department has been questioned by a judge over this week's deadly blast in Beirut, after which the judge placed him under arrest. Sixteen other port officials and staffers are also under arrest. Daher has said he and his predecessor sent six letters, the last of which was in 2017, to a judge, warning repeatedly that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger. They had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it. (with inputs from agencies)

Ship owner files lawsuit against those responsible for Beirut port explosion

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has denied the involvement of his powerful Shiite movement in the Beirut explosion that killed more than 150 people.

The blast injured at least 5,000 people and devastated entire districts of the capital, leaving some 300,000 people temporarily homeless.

Nasrallah said they had not stored arms at Beirut's port, describing the cataclysmic explosion there as "a major tragedy".&nbsp;

"We have nothing in the port: not an arms depot, nor a missile depot nor missiles nor rifles nor bombs nor bullets nor (ammonium) nitrate," Nasrallah said in a televised speech three days after the blast in the Lebanese capital.

He called the explosion a "major tragedy and humanitarian catastrophe," saying it required a kind of response that would match its "exceptional" scale.

An investigation by authorities has so far led to 21 arrests, as well as travel bans and asset freezes.

Authorities had said a fire at the port had ignited tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored there for years, but President Michel Aoun said Friday it could have been caused by an attack.

The Hezbollah leader warned against delays in the probe, saying: "If the Lebanese state and the political class... do not reach a conclusion in the investigations this means... there is no hope to build a state."

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday made a snap, but influential, visit to Beirut, where he pressed leaders for change and announced an international aid conference in the coming days.

He met with several Lebanese leaders, including Hezbollah representatives on his one-day trip.

Hezbollah is the only group not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and it fought Israeli troops who occupied southern Lebanon until 2000.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has denied the involvement of his powerful Shiite movement in the Beirut explosion that killed more than 150 people. The blast injured at least 5,000 people and devastated entire districts of the capital, leaving some 300,000 people temporarily homeless.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has denied the involvement of his powerful Shiite movement in the Beirut explosion that killed more than 150 people. The blast injured at least 5,000 people and devastated entire districts of the capital, leaving some 300,000 people temporarily homeless. Nasrallah said they had not stored arms at Beirut's port, describing the cataclysmic explosion there as "a major tragedy". "We have nothing in the port: not an arms depot, nor a missile depot nor missiles nor rifles nor bombs nor bullets nor (ammonium) nitrate," Nasrallah said in a televised speech three days after the blast in the Lebanese capital. He called the explosion a "major tragedy and humanitarian catastrophe," saying it required a kind of response that would match its "exceptional" scale. An investigation by authorities has so far led to 21 arrests, as well as travel bans and asset freezes. Authorities had said a fire at the port had ignited tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored there for years, but President Michel Aoun said Friday it could have been caused by an attack. The Hezbollah leader warned against delays in the probe, saying: "If the Lebanese state and the political class... do not reach a conclusion in the investigations this means... there is no hope to build a state." Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday made a snap, but influential, visit to Beirut, where he pressed leaders for change and announced an international aid conference in the coming days. He met with several Lebanese leaders, including Hezbollah representatives on his one-day trip. Hezbollah is the only group not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and it fought Israeli troops who occupied southern Lebanon until 2000.

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader denies storing arms at Beirut blast site

The massive blast in Beirut has dealt a major blow to the already battered economy of Lebanon. The blast will cause a 15 billion dollar loss to the once-thriving trading country. Watch report.

Massive blast deals a fresh blow to Lebanon's economy | World News

Four days after a massive explosion at the port in Beirut left more than 150 people dead, more than 60 people are still missing, a health ministry official said Saturday.

Four days after a massive explosion at the port in Beirut left more than 150 people dead, more than 60 people are still missing, a health ministry official said Saturday. "The number of dead is 154, including 25 who have not yet been identified," the official told AFP. "In addition, we have more than 60 people still missing." Also read: Anti-government protests break out in Beirut; security forces fire tear gas The health minister said on Friday that at least 120 of the 5,000 people who were injured on Tuesday are in critical condition. The anger over Tuesday's explosion rose after the revelation that a large shipment of dangerous ammonium nitrate fertiliser had been stored for years in a warehouse. However, it remains unclear how the shipment caught fire. Also read | Beirut's accidental cargo: How an unscheduled port visit led to disaster Teams from France, Russia, Germany, Italy and other countries are still carrying out rescue work near the site of the explosion. The deadly blast has further deteriorated the already battering economic situation of Lebanon and led to a number of international aids.

More than 60 still missing after Beirut massive explosion: Health ministry

<section>
Israel's offer of humanitarian aid to Lebanon after the massive Beirut blast is unlikely to be taken up.

Israel on Friday offered aid and support to Lebanon following Tuesday's&nbsp;devastating port explosion in Beirut, a quick turn of sentiment after a recent exchange of attacks with Lebanese militants along a tense border in recent days.

The two neighbours are still technically at war, have no diplomatic ties and mutual suspicion, even animosity, defines their relations.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-capture-beirut-before-vs-after-devastating-blast-318562">Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast</a>

As Beirut reeled Tuesday after the monster blast at the port ripped across the city, many eyes were on Israel.

The military initially offered a traditional "no comment" to queries about the possible source of the explosion, until later a government source added: "Israel has nothing to do with this incident". Hours later the government offered humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

"Israel has turned to Lebanon through international security and political contacts to offer humanitarian and medical aid to the Lebanese government," a statement said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-rare-show-of-support-israeli-square-bathed-in-lebanese-colors-over-beirut-blast-318473">In rare show of support, Israeli square bathed in Lebanese colors over Beirut blast</a>

As Beirut hospitals became overwhelmed by the influx of thousands of injured, Lebanon's government did not comment.

Aid has been streaming in from elsewhere, including from former power France and Iran, an ally of Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement and key Israeli rival.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanons-hezbollah-leader-denies-storing-arms-at-beirut-blast-site-318967" hreflang="en">Lebanon's Hezbollah leader denies storing arms at Beirut blast site</a>

Israel and Hezbollah last fought a 33-day war in the summer of 2006 that devastated parts of the Lebanese capital and killed hundreds.

Government and diplomatic sources in Jerusalem say Israel has tried unsuccessfully since Tuesday to send medical equipment to Lebanon via the United Nations, which monitors a buffer zone between the two countries.

Israel even sought to dispatch medical personnel to Cyprus, where Beirut victims could be treated, according to the sources.

"It is a very human gesture," Amos Yadlin, former head of Israeli military intelligence, told reporters. "It is a gesture that can bring the two nations together."

Yadlin blamed Hezbollah's backers in Tehran for the continuing air of hostility between Israel and Lebanon, insisting there was "no real dispute" between the neighbours.

"The only reason that there is no peace between Israel and Lebanon is the fact that Iran took over this small country through its proxy Hezbollah and they are inventing excuses to keep the conflict going," he claimed.

In Beirut, many have bitter memories of Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982, its occupation of the country's south until 2000 and the 2006 war that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

The fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees stuck in Lebanon for decades after fleeing or being driven out of their homes in waves following Israel's creation in 1948 is another thorny issue.

Longstanding demands for their return has remained a sticking point.

Traumatised by the blast that devastated their capital killing more than 150 people, injuring at least 5,000 and leaving some 300,000 homeless, the Lebanese paid little attention to Israel's offer, other than to ridicule it.&nbsp;
</section>

Israel's offer of humanitarian aid to Lebanon after the massive Beirut blast is unlikely to be taken up. Israel on Friday offered aid and support to Lebanon following Tuesday's devastating port explosion in Beirut, a quick turn of sentiment after a recent exchange of attacks with Lebanese militants along a tense border in recent days.

Israel's offer of humanitarian aid to Lebanon after the massive Beirut blast is unlikely to be taken up. Israel on Friday offered aid and support to Lebanon following Tuesday's devastating port explosion in Beirut, a quick turn of sentiment after a recent exchange of attacks with Lebanese militants along a tense border in recent days. The two neighbours are still technically at war, have no diplomatic ties and mutual suspicion, even animosity, defines their relations. Also see: Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast As Beirut reeled Tuesday after the monster blast at the port ripped across the city, many eyes were on Israel. The military initially offered a traditional "no comment" to queries about the possible source of the explosion, until later a government source added: "Israel has nothing to do with this incident". Hours later the government offered humanitarian aid to Lebanon. "Israel has turned to Lebanon through international security and political contacts to offer humanitarian and medical aid to the Lebanese government," a statement said. Also read: In rare show of support, Israeli square bathed in Lebanese colors over Beirut blast As Beirut hospitals became overwhelmed by the influx of thousands of injured, Lebanon's government did not comment. Aid has been streaming in from elsewhere, including from former power France and Iran, an ally of Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement and key Israeli rival. Also read: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader denies storing arms at Beirut blast site Israel and Hezbollah last fought a 33-day war in the summer of 2006 that devastated parts of the Lebanese capital and killed hundreds. Government and diplomatic sources in Jerusalem say Israel has tried unsuccessfully since Tuesday to send medical equipment to Lebanon via the United Nations, which monitors a buffer zone between the two countries. Israel even sought to dispatch medical personnel to Cyprus, where Beirut victims could be treated, according to the sources. "It is a very human gesture," Amos Yadlin, former head of Israeli military intelligence, told reporters. "It is a gesture that can bring the two nations together." Yadlin blamed Hezbollah's backers in Tehran for the continuing air of hostility between Israel and Lebanon, insisting there was "no real dispute" between the neighbours. "The only reason that there is no peace between Israel and Lebanon is the fact that Iran took over this small country through its proxy Hezbollah and they are inventing excuses to keep the conflict going," he claimed. In Beirut, many have bitter memories of Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982, its occupation of the country's south until 2000 and the 2006 war that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians. The fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees stuck in Lebanon for decades after fleeing or being driven out of their homes in waves following Israel's creation in 1948 is another thorny issue. Longstanding demands for their return has remained a sticking point. Traumatised by the blast that devastated their capital killing more than 150 people, injuring at least 5,000 and leaving some 300,000 homeless, the Lebanese paid little attention to Israel's offer, other than to ridicule it.

Rival Israel's aid offer to Lebanon in wake of explosion, unlikely to find a taker

A petition calling for France to take control of Lebanon has got more than 50,000 signatures. This appeal is supported by the citizens of Lebanon - who are blaming their government for the Beirut blasts. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why Lebanese people want another country to take over their government.

Gravitas: Beirut blasts | Lebanese People call on France to takeover Lebanon

A day before the port blast that killed more than 150 people and ravaged parts of Beirut, the country's Foreign Minister&nbsp;Nassif Hitti&nbsp;resigned after&nbsp;warning that it&nbsp;is ''siding towards becoming a failed state''.

The&nbsp;doomsday prediction&nbsp;began taking shape within hours and came true a day later. The blast zone is now a wasteland of blackened ruins, while whole neighbourhoods were largely destroyed.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Friday the explosion&nbsp;was caused either by negligence or a missile attack.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-capture-beirut-before-vs-after-devastating-blast-318562">Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast</a>

It could have been "negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb," the president said in a televised interview, three days after the explosion.

He&nbsp;rejected calls for an international probe&nbsp;after world leaders and Lebanese nationals abroad and at home pressed for an impartial investigation.

However, experts believe that the incident was&nbsp;designed by years of dysfunction, corruption and incompetence.

It is a warning for the rest of the world as well as the&nbsp;disaster could happen anywhere.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/explosion-decimates-beiruts-port-disrupting-the-struggling-countrys-lifeline-318312">Explosion decimates Beirut's port, disrupting the struggling country's lifeline</a>

The storage of&nbsp;ammonium&nbsp;nitrate, the substance behind the deadly explosion in the port of Beirut on Tuesday, has come under increased regulation in recent years to avoid involvement of the ubiquitous product in accidents which, although rare, can be devastating.&nbsp;Since 1916, it&nbsp;has been responsible for at least 30 major disasters.

What happened in Beirut was criminal negligence. It was a bomb that waited to go off for almost seven years and nobody bothered to defuse it.

The explosive ammonium nitrate arrived in Lebanon seven years ago, in 2013. Lebanese custom officials requested for the cargo’s disposal at least six times. But no one paid heed. It's as if they wanted this disaster to happen.

While corruption and incompetence is a deadly mix, adding&nbsp;ammonium nitrate makes it a ticking bomb waiting to explode.

Almost 700 tonnes of&nbsp;ammonium&nbsp;nitrate&nbsp;has been stuck in an Indian port since 2015, officials confirmed.

Indian authorities afterwards ordered a review of all potentially hazardous materials in its ports and were alerted to 690 tonnes of&nbsp;ammonium&nbsp;nitrate&nbsp;in Chennai in southern India.

Thirty-seven containers of the compound were imported from South Korea in 2015 by an Indian firm for use in fertilisers but were seized after the substance was found to be explosives-grade.

The local customs department on Thursday sought to allay concerns, saying that the chemicals posed no danger and that an auction process to sell it off was under way.

Although the mega-explosion happened in Beirut but entire Lebanon is now in ruins.

This a grim reminder for the world how corruption and incompetence created the perfect highway to hell.

A day before the port blast that killed more than 150 people and ravaged parts of Beirut, the country's Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti resigned after warning that it is ''siding towards becoming a failed state''.

A day before the port blast that killed more than 150 people and ravaged parts of Beirut, the country's Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti resigned after warning that it is ''siding towards becoming a failed state''. The doomsday prediction began taking shape within hours and came true a day later. The blast zone is now a wasteland of blackened ruins, while whole neighbourhoods were largely destroyed. Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Friday the explosion was caused either by negligence or a missile attack. Also see: Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast It could have been "negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb," the president said in a televised interview, three days after the explosion. He rejected calls for an international probe after world leaders and Lebanese nationals abroad and at home pressed for an impartial investigation. However, experts believe that the incident was designed by years of dysfunction, corruption and incompetence. It is a warning for the rest of the world as well as the disaster could happen anywhere. Also see: Explosion decimates Beirut's port, disrupting the struggling country's lifeline The storage of ammonium nitrate, the substance behind the deadly explosion in the port of Beirut on Tuesday, has come under increased regulation in recent years to avoid involvement of the ubiquitous product in accidents which, although rare, can be devastating. Since 1916, it has been responsible for at least 30 major disasters. What happened in Beirut was criminal negligence. It was a bomb that waited to go off for almost seven years and nobody bothered to defuse it. The explosive ammonium nitrate arrived in Lebanon seven years ago, in 2013. Lebanese custom officials requested for the cargo’s disposal at least six times. But no one paid heed. It's as if they wanted this disaster to happen. While corruption and incompetence is a deadly mix, adding ammonium nitrate makes it a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Almost 700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been stuck in an Indian port since 2015, officials confirmed. Indian authorities afterwards ordered a review of all potentially hazardous materials in its ports and were alerted to 690 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in Chennai in southern India. Thirty-seven containers of the compound were imported from South Korea in 2015 by an Indian firm for use in fertilisers but were seized after the substance was found to be explosives-grade. The local customs department on Thursday sought to allay concerns, saying that the chemicals posed no danger and that an auction process to sell it off was under way. Although the mega-explosion happened in Beirut but entire Lebanon is now in ruins. This a grim reminder for the world how corruption and incompetence created the perfect highway to hell.

How years of dysfunction, corruption and incompetence led to Beirut explosion

The chemicals that went up in flames in Beirut's deadliest peace-time explosion arrived in the Lebanese capital seven years ago on a leaky Russian-leased cargo ship that, according to its captain, should never have stopped there.

"They were being greedy," said Boris Prokoshev, who was captain of the Rhosus in 2013 when he says the owner told him to make an unscheduled stop in Lebanon to pick up extra cargo.

Prokoshev said the ship was carrying 2,750 tonnes of a highly combustible chemical from Georgia to Mozambique when the order came to divert to Beirut on its way through the Mediterranean.

The crew were asked to load some heavy road equipment and take it to Jordan's Port of Aqaba before resuming their journey onto Africa, where the ammonium nitrate was to be delivered to an explosives manufacturer.

But the ship was never to leave Beirut, having tried and failed to safely load the additional cargo before becoming embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute over port fees.

"It was impossible," Prokoshev, 70, told Reuters of the operation to try and load the extra cargo. "It could have ruined the whole ship and I said no," he said by 'phone from his home in the Russian resort town of Sochi on the Black Sea coast.

The captain and lawyers acting for some creditors accused the ship's owner of abandoning the vessel and succeeded in having it arrested. Months later, for safety reasons, the ammonium nitrate was unloaded and put in a dock warehouse.

On Tuesday, that stockpile caught fire and exploded not far from a built-up residential area of the city. The huge blast killed 145 people, injured 5,000, flattened buildings and made more than a quarter of a million people homeless.

The ship might have succeeded in leaving Beirut, had it managed to load the additional cargo.

The crew had stacked the equipment, including excavators and road-rollers, on top of the doors to the cargo hold which held the ammonium nitrate below, according to the ship's Ukrainian boatswain, Boris Musinchak. But the hold doors buckled.

"The ship was old and the cover of the hold bent," Musinchak said by 'phone. "We decided not to take risks." 
The captain and three crew spent 11 months on the ship while the legal dispute dragged on, without wages and with only limited supplies of food. Once they left, the ammonium nitrate was unloaded.

"The cargo was highly explosive. That's why it was kept on board when we were there ... That ammonium nitrate had a very high concentration," Prokoshev said.

BOUND FOR MOZAMBIQUE

Prokoshev identified the ship's owner as Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin. Attempts to contact Grechushkin were unsuccessful.

Cypriot police questioned Grechushkin at his home in Cyprus on Thursday, a security source said. A Cyprus police spokesman said an individual, whom he did not name, had been questioned at the request of Interpol Beirut in relation to the cargo.

The ammonium nitrate was sold by Georgian fertiliser maker Rustavi Azot LLC, and was to be delivered to a Mozambique explosives maker, Fabrica de Explosivos.

A senior representative for Fabrica de Explosivos did not immediately respond when sent a request for comment on LinkedIn.

Levan Burdiladze, the Rustavi Azot plant director, told Reuters that his company had only operated the chemical factory for the last three years and so he could not confirm whether the ammonium nitrate was produced there.

He called the decision to store the material in Beirut port a "gross violation of safe storage measures, considering that ammonium nitrate loses its useful properties in six months."

Initial Lebanese investigations into what happened have pointed to inaction and negligence in the handling of the potentially dangerous chemical.

Lebanon's cabinet on Wednesday agreed to place all Beirut port officials who have overseen storage and security since 2014 under house arrest, ministerial sources said.

The head of Beirut port and the head of customs said that several letters were sent to the judiciary asking for the material be removed, but no action was taken.

Reuters could not immediately reach Lebanon's justice minister for comment. The Justice Ministry is closed for three days of national mourning.

According to Prokoshev, the ship had been leaking but was seaworthy when it sailed into Beirut in September 2013. However, he said Lebanese authorities paid little attention to the ammonium nitrate, which had been stacked in the hull in large sacks.

"I feel sorry for the people (killed or injured in the blast). But local authorities, the Lebanese, should be punished. They did not care about the cargo at all," he said.

The abandoned Rhosus sank where she was moored in Beirut harbour, according to a May, 2018 email from a lawyer to Prokoshev, which said it had gone down "recently". 
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The chemicals that went up in flames in Beirut's deadliest peace-time explosion arrived in the Lebanese capital seven years ago on a leaky Russian-leased cargo ship that, according to its captain, should never have stopped there.

The chemicals that went up in flames in Beirut's deadliest peace-time explosion arrived in the Lebanese capital seven years ago on a leaky Russian-leased cargo ship that, according to its captain, should never have stopped there. "They were being greedy," said Boris Prokoshev, who was captain of the Rhosus in 2013 when he says the owner told him to make an unscheduled stop in Lebanon to pick up extra cargo. Prokoshev said the ship was carrying 2,750 tonnes of a highly combustible chemical from Georgia to Mozambique when the order came to divert to Beirut on its way through the Mediterranean. The crew were asked to load some heavy road equipment and take it to Jordan's Port of Aqaba before resuming their journey onto Africa, where the ammonium nitrate was to be delivered to an explosives manufacturer. But the ship was never to leave Beirut, having tried and failed to safely load the additional cargo before becoming embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute over port fees. "It was impossible," Prokoshev, 70, told Reuters of the operation to try and load the extra cargo. "It could have ruined the whole ship and I said no," he said by 'phone from his home in the Russian resort town of Sochi on the Black Sea coast. The captain and lawyers acting for some creditors accused the ship's owner of abandoning the vessel and succeeded in having it arrested. Months later, for safety reasons, the ammonium nitrate was unloaded and put in a dock warehouse. On Tuesday, that stockpile caught fire and exploded not far from a built-up residential area of the city. The huge blast killed 145 people, injured 5,000, flattened buildings and made more than a quarter of a million people homeless. The ship might have succeeded in leaving Beirut, had it managed to load the additional cargo. The crew had stacked the equipment, including excavators and road-rollers, on top of the doors to the cargo hold which held the ammonium nitrate below, according to the ship's Ukrainian boatswain, Boris Musinchak. But the hold doors buckled. "The ship was old and the cover of the hold bent," Musinchak said by 'phone. "We decided not to take risks." The captain and three crew spent 11 months on the ship while the legal dispute dragged on, without wages and with only limited supplies of food. Once they left, the ammonium nitrate was unloaded. "The cargo was highly explosive. That's why it was kept on board when we were there ... That ammonium nitrate had a very high concentration," Prokoshev said. BOUND FOR MOZAMBIQUE Prokoshev identified the ship's owner as Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin. Attempts to contact Grechushkin were unsuccessful. Cypriot police questioned Grechushkin at his home in Cyprus on Thursday, a security source said. A Cyprus police spokesman said an individual, whom he did not name, had been questioned at the request of Interpol Beirut in relation to the cargo. The ammonium nitrate was sold by Georgian fertiliser maker Rustavi Azot LLC, and was to be delivered to a Mozambique explosives maker, Fabrica de Explosivos. A senior representative for Fabrica de Explosivos did not immediately respond when sent a request for comment on LinkedIn. Levan Burdiladze, the Rustavi Azot plant director, told Reuters that his company had only operated the chemical factory for the last three years and so he could not confirm whether the ammonium nitrate was produced there. He called the decision to store the material in Beirut port a "gross violation of safe storage measures, considering that ammonium nitrate loses its useful properties in six months." Initial Lebanese investigations into what happened have pointed to inaction and negligence in the handling of the potentially dangerous chemical. Lebanon's cabinet on Wednesday agreed to place all Beirut port officials who have overseen storage and security since 2014 under house arrest, ministerial sources said. The head of Beirut port and the head of customs said that several letters were sent to the judiciary asking for the material be removed, but no action was taken. Reuters could not immediately reach Lebanon's justice minister for comment. The Justice Ministry is closed for three days of national mourning. According to Prokoshev, the ship had been leaking but was seaworthy when it sailed into Beirut in September 2013. However, he said Lebanese authorities paid little attention to the ammonium nitrate, which had been stacked in the hull in large sacks. "I feel sorry for the people (killed or injured in the blast). But local authorities, the Lebanese, should be punished. They did not care about the cargo at all," he said. The abandoned Rhosus sank where she was moored in Beirut harbour, according to a May, 2018 email from a lawyer to Prokoshev, which said it had gone down "recently".

Beirut's accidental cargo: How an unscheduled port visit led to disaster

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The US army will send shipments of water, food and medicine to Lebanon in wake of the massive explosion that left Beirut devastated with hundreds of thousands homeless.

Deliveries of three C-17 military planes loaded with food, water and medical supplies were "impending," an official said.

The US was ready to continue providing assistance to the Lebanese during the "terrible tragedy" in partnership with the Lebanese army, the US embassy in Lebanon and the US international aid agency, USAID, said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, public anger in Lebanon is on the boil over the blast caused by a massive pile of ammonium nitrate that had for years lain in a ramshackle portside warehouse. It left at least 137 dead and 5,000 injured, and hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

The fallout is expected to cost billions in a small country already plunged into an unprecedented economic and social crisis, battling the coronavirus, and where almost half of the inhabitants live in poverty.

The US army will send shipments of water, food and medicine to Lebanon in wake of the massive explosion that left Beirut devastated with hundreds of thousands homeless.

The US army will send shipments of water, food and medicine to Lebanon in wake of the massive explosion that left Beirut devastated with hundreds of thousands homeless. Deliveries of three C-17 military planes loaded with food, water and medical supplies were "impending," an official said. The US was ready to continue providing assistance to the Lebanese during the "terrible tragedy" in partnership with the Lebanese army, the US embassy in Lebanon and the US international aid agency, USAID, said on Thursday. Meanwhile, public anger in Lebanon is on the boil over the blast caused by a massive pile of ammonium nitrate that had for years lain in a ramshackle portside warehouse. It left at least 137 dead and 5,000 injured, and hundreds of thousands of people homeless. The fallout is expected to cost billions in a small country already plunged into an unprecedented economic and social crisis, battling the coronavirus, and where almost half of the inhabitants live in poverty.

US army to deliver relief supplies to Beirut after devastation

A massive explosion ripped through the city of Beirut in Lebanon. Protesters are now out on the streets protesting against this massive disaster. Watch report.

Lebanon Blast Aftermath: Protesters take to the streets of Beirut

Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast

Two days after the horrific explosion that killed over 130 people in Beirut, serious concerns have been raised now about tonnes of chemical explosives that have been stored in a private container near Chennai. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: Beirut like facility found in Tamil Nadu, Tonnes of explosive chemicals in Chennai

Lebanon is coming to terms with a massive explosion at the port of Beirut that has killed at least 137 people and injured more than 5000. The death toll is rising consistently as the Lebanese rescue team pulls more and more bodies from under the rubble. Watch report.

Fineprint: At least 137 dead & 5,000 injured in Beirut Blast, Quarter of a million people homeless