A huge explosion struck Beirut on Tuesday evening, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands. Officials say the blast was caused by a large amount of seized explosive material that had been stored unsafely in a warehouse at the port, close to busy neighborhoods. As global leaders offer help, Lebanese authorities have launched an investigation.
Rescue teams worked through Wednesday to treat victims, search for survivors, and understand the full scale of destruction.
The explosion happened at 6:07 p.m. near Beirut’s port and central district, an area surrounded by homes, restaurants, and major landmarks such as Martyrs’ Square, Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, and the government palace.
Beirut’s governor Marwan Abboud estimated the damage at three to five billion US dollars. Lebanon’s state media reported that 90% of hotels in the capital were affected. The shockwave was felt as far as Cyprus, 240 kilometers away, and registered as a 3.3 magnitude earthquake.
Satellite images show a massive crater about 124 meters wide—bigger than a football field. The governor also said around 300,000 people can no longer stay in their homes, and nearly half the city’s population is temporarily displaced.
