Beirut explosion – latest news: Lebanon declares state of emergency as over 300,000 left homeless and at least 135 dead following blast

Follow latest updates from the Lebanese capital

Aerial footage shows devastating impact of Beirut explosion

Lebanon’s cabinet has declared a two-week state of emergency in Beirut following a huge explosion at the city’s port which sent shock waves across the capital on Tuesday, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands.

Marwan Abboud, Beirut’s governor, said more than 300,000 citizens had been left unable to sleep in their own homes due to the explosion, which is thought to have been caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was stored unsafely at the port for six years.

It came as ministers agreed to place Beirut’s port officials under house arrest until responsibility for the disaster has been determined and documents revealed custom officials had warned of the “serious danger” posed by the chemical stockpile years before the explosion yesterday.

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Key Points

• Raab promises £5m support package for Lebanon
• Death toll rises to at least 135, with 5,000 injured
• Lebanese government declares two-week state of emergency
• Death toll in Beirut rises to 113, with over 4,000 wounded
• Lebanon to place Beirut port officials under house arrest
• More than 300,000 people homeless after blast, Beirut’s governor says
• Lebanon’s main grain silo destroyed, leaving country with low reserves
• ‘Negligence’ over highly explosive material led to blast, official source says
• Officials 'warned of serious danger posed by ammonium nitrate' years ago

[5 August 2020 19:55 · Zoe Tidman]

Ways to help

The huge explosion has wreaked havoc in Beirut, with the city's governor estimateing more than 300,000 people have been left unable to sleep in their own homes. 

More than 100 people have died, and thousands have been injured in the blast at the port on Tuesday.

Sabrina Barr has put together a useful guide on how to help those affected by the devastating explosion: 

[5 August 2020 20:10 · Zoe Tidman]

Financial impact

Beirut's governor said collective losses after the city's blast may reach $10bn (£7.6bn) to $15bn (£11.4bn), with the governor explaining the number includes both direct and indirect losses related to business.

The governor also told Al Hadath TV that amounts of available wheat are currently limited and he thinks a crisis might take place without international interference.

Reuters

[5 August 2020 20:19 · Zoe Tidman]

US 'committed' to helping Lebanon in wake of blast

The US Secretary of State has reiterated "steadfast" commitment to assist the Lebanese people in a call with Lebanese prime minister, the state department said on Wednesday.

Mike Pompeo tweeted he expressed his condolences to the PM on the phone earlier today.

"The US stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people and remains committed to assist with the aftermath of this terrifying event," he said. 

Additional reporting by Reuters

[5 August 2020 20:37 · Chiara.Giordano]

The British government announced it would make available up to £5 million for people made homeless by the deadly explosion in Beirut that has left more than 100 dead and thousands injured, Richard Hall reports.

The money is part of an emergency relief package announced on Wednesday that includes specialist medical teams and NHS experts, search and rescue crews and additional support for the Lebanese armed forces.

But more than 24 hours after the blast, it appeared that none of the UK aid was on the move, and it was unclear exactly when the relief package would be delivered.

[5 August 2020 20:50 · Chiara.Giordano]

UK offers aid to Lebanon as ‘rigorous’ probe promised into Beirut blast

[5 August 2020 21:05 · Chiara.Giordano]

Baghdad to provide fuel aid to Beirut

An Iraqi delegation headed by the Iraqi oil minister met Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab today and informed him Baghdad will provide fuel aid to Beirut following yesterday's explosion, according to a statement by the Lebanese government.

Lebanese local media also said an amount of wheat will arrive on Friday from Iraq as an aid after the blast left the Lebanese capital short on supplies, according to the governor.

[5 August 2020 21:25 · Chiara.Giordano]

Our Middle East correspondent Bel Trew gives her eyewitness account of how Beirut has been changed irrevocably by the devastating port explosions

[5 August 2020 21:56 · Chiara.Giordano]

That's the end of our coverage for today. Thank you for following our updates and we'll be back with more tomorrow.