August 05, 2020, 03:14 PM
A devastating explosion ripped through the coastal city of Beirut, Lebanon on the afternoon of Aug. 4.
According to the Red Cross, the death toll rose overnight to over 100, with more than 4,000 wounded.
Horrifying scene inside a Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon following explosions 💔
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) August 5, 2020
SALUTES to the every first responders & medical personnels on the frontlines of this tragedy
May peace be upon you and your families 🥺😭
PRAYING FOR LEBANON ❤ pic.twitter.com/HHd4Pt4ph7
Over 100 people remain missing, including several firefighters.
The explosion is believed to be linked to some 2,700 tonnes of confiscated ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port for the past six years.
Lebanon's High Defence Council has since declared Beirut a disaster zone, and an investigation committee set up to determine the cause behind the incident, Al Jazeera reported.
Support and solidarity
Other countries have since come forward to show support for the city after the horrific accident.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, lit up with Lebanon's flag.
According to Khaleej Times, the tweet translates to:
https://twitter.com/BurjKhalifa/status/1290739073359982594"Burj Khalifa lights up in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. Our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon! Oh God, have mercy on those who moved to you ... Oh God, the kindest of its people ... Oh God, give the people of Lebanon patience and solace."
Lebanon's flag has also been projected on the great pyramids of Giza in a display of solidarity.
Pyramids lights up with the Lebanese flag 🇱🇧
— 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗮 𝗘𝗹𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗱𝘆 (@SalmaElkurdy) August 4, 2020
Egypt / Giza#Beirut pic.twitter.com/xvGyoFu1qF
World leaders have come forward to express their condolences and show support for the disaster-stricken country.
French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted in both French and Arabic, saying that "France would stand beside Lebanon always". He added that French aid and resources were being sent there.
In a public address, U.S. president Donald Trump said that America was sending "its deepest sympathies" to Lebanon, and that the country has a "very good relationship with Lebanon", and the U.S. "stands ready to assist".
"Let me begin by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon." pic.twitter.com/CZitqk2A0S
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) August 4, 2020
Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson sent his thoughts and prayers too.
The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 4, 2020
So did Malaysia's foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
Malaysia stands together in grief as our thoughts and prayers accompany the strong people of 🇱🇧 Lebanon. We stand ready to support any way we can. Initial reports from our @MYEmbBeirut show that all Malaysians there are safe and have been advised to stay at home #PrayForLebanon pic.twitter.com/tpJJ8HAo5x
— Hishammuddin Hussein 🇲🇾 (@HishammuddinH2O) August 5, 2020
Top photo from @BurjKhalifa / Twitter and @SalmaElkurdy / Twitter
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