In Beirut just now: It felt like it was an earthquake for a few seconds then something big exploded. Not sure what it is yet.
Beirut a little earlier today, explosion so massive it was felt and caused significant damage outside the city.
A theory is floating around that the explosion at the Port of Beirut was caused by fireworks.
Whatever it is, whether a bombing or an attack or an error, it's now high time to unleash all of our rage & power against this criminal ruling class that thinks our lives are worthless.
Whatever it is, whether a bombing or an attack or an error, it's now high time to unleash all of our rage & power against this criminal ruling class that thinks our lives are worthless.
Hundreds are reportedly injured while hospitals are already at overcapacity with limited equipment and staff.
Communication networks unstable, making it hard for loved ones to check in on one another. Chaos on the streets with a constant stream of ambulance sirens.
Communication networks unstable, making it hard for loved ones to check in on one another. Chaos on the streets with a constant stream of ambulance sirens.
The investigative journalist who's been exposing corruption at the Port of Beirut for years is saying, "Corruption at the Customs has literally exploded among the Lebanese." Al-Jadeed reporting the highly explosive ammonium nitrate's been there since 2014.
Lebanon's interior minister, the little thug Fehmi, says he doesn't know why the explosive material was there & refers the question to the Customs.
Several dead, 100s injured, and a city reeling from immeasurable loses on all fronts is also subjected to the horrors of this gvt.
Several dead, 100s injured, and a city reeling from immeasurable loses on all fronts is also subjected to the horrors of this gvt.
A lot of this kind of garbage is floating around. Not only is it journalistic malpractice, it also erases what we think happened and puts us in even more danger. Ignore it.
Health Minister Hamad Hadan: At least 2,500 injured and 25 killed, trying to set up field hospitals to deal with the carnage (my description).
Head of Syndicate of Private Hospitals: Al-Roum Hospital badly damaged, asking other hospitals to accommodate its patients.
Head of Syndicate of Private Hospitals: Al-Roum Hospital badly damaged, asking other hospitals to accommodate its patients.
Countless people are still searching for their loved ones who work at the Port of Beirut or were near it when the explosion happened.
The devastation right now is immeasurable.
The devastation right now is immeasurable.
PM Hassan Diab addressed the country w/ some platitudes & vague promises to the "martyrs." His address lasted what felt like secs.
The ppl who perished today were murdered, they are not martyrs & we know well what "investigations" lead do.
@hassandiabteam, tell him to resign.
The ppl who perished today were murdered, they are not martyrs & we know well what "investigations" lead do.
@hassandiabteam, tell him to resign.
50 killed, so far.
Fifty people have been murdered by their own state, so a few former warlords, now government officials, can line their pockets.
Fifty people have been murdered by their own state, so a few former warlords, now government officials, can line their pockets.
This was our childhood and now that of our children.
The culprits are one and the same, regardless of the explosion's cause.
It's time to turn the page on this dark history. Time for justice has come and we should seize it.
The culprits are one and the same, regardless of the explosion's cause.
It's time to turn the page on this dark history. Time for justice has come and we should seize it.
This was not your run of the mill explosion. Its environmental, health, financial, and other repercussions will be endured by all of us for years to come.
This is Beirut today.
Trending is a call to execute Director General of Lebanese Customs Badri Daher.
#الاعدام_لبدري_ضاهر
This is Beirut today.
Trending is a call to execute Director General of Lebanese Customs Badri Daher.
#الاعدام_لبدري_ضاهر
Gemayzeh, famous for its nightlife but also for the hardship its senior residents have had to endure bc of unregulated bars, noise pollution, and crowds overtaking their streets, was hit hard by the Beirut Port explosion.
The homes of some of these residents are now destroyed.
The homes of some of these residents are now destroyed.
So far, 73 killed & 3,600 injured today in Lebanon. @riadkobaissi: "They turned barge nb 12 into a nuclear bomb... Responsible former & current Customs officials should be executed... Corruption at the Beirut Port is extraordinary at any scale... Rampant corruption for 10 yrs."
The Higher Defense Council declared a state of emergency for two weeks.
There is no absolutely no need for such a measure other than to quell people's anger.
Rest assured, we will take to the street and we will seek vengance for those you murdered and injured. #BeirutBlast
There is no absolutely no need for such a measure other than to quell people's anger.
Rest assured, we will take to the street and we will seek vengance for those you murdered and injured. #BeirutBlast
W the tireless @LarissaAounSky, this was the sole human response by a gvt representative. Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud (still an asshole): "This is a national nakba, this is too much for a people to bare." Lebanon imports almost all its consumption needs.
In fairness and to do justice to the sacrifices of migrant domestic workers in Lebanon, this was our childhood, yes:
But this was also a huge part of my and my twin's childhood. When bombs would start raining down, we would run to Ari's (RIP) bed.
But this was also a huge part of my and my twin's childhood. When bombs would start raining down, we would run to Ari's (RIP) bed.
National Council for Scientific Research Secretary-General Mouin Hamza says no lab in Lebanon is properly equipped to accurately and conclusively analyze the quality of the air in Beirut, asks for help from European peers.
⬇️ Thread for those who'd like to help after the #BeirutBlast ⬇️
Whatever you do, make sure not one penny goes through the Lebanese government.
#BeirutExplosion
#انفجار_المرفأ
Whatever you do, make sure not one penny goes through the Lebanese government.
#BeirutExplosion
#انفجار_المرفأ
Dr. Najat Saliba: Trash on the streets possibly more dangerous than the air rn (dust particulars w/ shards of glass). No chemical analysis yet, studies limited.
To volunteers sweeping: Wear thick gloves, mask & eye covering.
Kids & seniors: Stay in & close doors/windows. #Beirut
To volunteers sweeping: Wear thick gloves, mask & eye covering.
Kids & seniors: Stay in & close doors/windows. #Beirut
In "surprise visit" to #BeirutBlast site, Hariri says investigation needed, "maybe our friends abroad can help us." He then performs deep sadness & shock. Armed thugs surround him.
The 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate been stored in Hangar 12 since 2013 & while he was in office.
The 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate been stored in Hangar 12 since 2013 & while he was in office.
The barely alive 85-year-old Lebanese president is now struggling to read a pointless statement prepared for him.
Mr. Poet was advised by his PR team to use the Lebanese dialect to appear more relatable.
Rescuers are still looking for bodies and the missing.
Boggles the mind.
Mr. Poet was advised by his PR team to use the Lebanese dialect to appear more relatable.
Rescuers are still looking for bodies and the missing.
Boggles the mind.
Volunteers, many tied to Oct17, who've been cleaning sites around Beirut all day are livid at Hariri's visit. One says, "don't you dare dream of it [returning to power] again." Woman gets attacked for hitting a car of his provocative convoy that signals only we r allowed safety.
This is how security forces attacked volunteers who objected to Hariri's theatrics in downtown Beirut a little earlier.
This is not a day for national unity with a murderous ruling class.
This is a day for national vengance.
#Beirut_Explosion
#انفجار_المرفأ
This is not a day for national unity with a murderous ruling class.
This is a day for national vengance.
#Beirut_Explosion
#انفجار_المرفأ
Support is urgently needed to rescue people trapped in their homes, many in this and other nearby neighborhoods are older and could be injured.
Find a group & coordinate w/ others bc some of these buildings are at risk of collapse.
#Beirut #انفجار_المرفأ
Find a group & coordinate w/ others bc some of these buildings are at risk of collapse.
#Beirut #انفجار_المرفأ
They want to conduct a thorough investigation into #Beirut_Explosion?
These people can't even hold a single person at the bottom of the food chain accountable for the smallest of things?
هيدا الشبيح ملكك؟ @saadhariri
These people can't even hold a single person at the bottom of the food chain accountable for the smallest of things?
هيدا الشبيح ملكك؟ @saadhariri
To deal w/ the economic crisis, w/ the repercussions of #Covid_19, w/ recent fires & now w/ #Beirut_Explosion, groups formed during the October 17 uprising are at the forefront.
The state is absent.
@thawramap is mapping housing needs & availabilities.
The state is absent.
@thawramap is mapping housing needs & availabilities.
On a balcony in Beirut, time to mount the gallows. Only question is, "whose heads?"
#انفجار_المرفأ
#Beirut_Explosion
#انفجار_المرفأ
#Beirut_Explosion
Up to 300,000 people have been made homeless by the #Beirut_Explosion.
Volunteers were setting up a donation station when Hariri thugs attacked them & destroyed the tent. Even during a national tragedy, the political system in Lebanon proves how repulsive and irredeemable it is.
Volunteers were setting up a donation station when Hariri thugs attacked them & destroyed the tent. Even during a national tragedy, the political system in Lebanon proves how repulsive and irredeemable it is.
Everything seems to indicate criminal negligence caused the #Beirut_Explosion. Port GM Hassan Koraytem knew the material was dangerous but "not to this degree." Customs DG Badri Daher wanted to make $$$ by selling it. PM Hassan Diab informed of the material when he took office.
Former PM Siniora & other Future Mvt leaders hinting at need for an int' investigation into #Beirut_Explosion.
The STL, set up in 2007, has cost us $1 billion & its verdict advances goal of int' power and their local allies, rather than deliver justice.
The STL, set up in 2007, has cost us $1 billion & its verdict advances goal of int' power and their local allies, rather than deliver justice.
Scenes from a couple of battered streets in dt Beirut, replicated across the area. The rest of the city is pitch black, not here. Soldiers aimlessly roaming ard & randomly asking for id. Private security for the World Bank stationed at the office to prevent ppl from taking pics.
Israeli fighter jets are violating Lebanon's airspace yet again right now after a full exhausting day of hasbara.
Few are as skilled in exploiting tragedy.
Few are as skilled in exploiting tragedy.
