Lebanon’s health minister announced that the death toll from the huge explosion in Beirut’s port on August 4th had reached 78, as numbers of wounded people skyrocket to nearly 4,000 people.
“We are facing a real catastrophe and need time to assess the extent of damages,” minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters.
Today’s massive Beirut explosion was allegedly caused by 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that were in Beirut’s port.
Conflicting reports, though; some stating that they were on the way to Africa when they exploded, and some stating that they were stored for 6 years with no safety measures.
Lebanon’s Higher Defense Council, which is composed of the president and all the important security agencies, approved declaring Beirut a disaster-stricken city.
The Council announced a two-week state of emergency in the capital, handing over security responsibility to military authorities.
From his side, the prime minister pledged to hold “those responsible for this catastrophe” accountable, which is the very least thing to do, really.
The question is whether it will be done honestly and openly without any political interference. The Lebanese nation, once healed from this devastating blow, will be demanding justice for this unforgivable horror done unto them.
