Thread by @Joyce_Karam

BREAKING: Explosions in Beirut #Lebanon

• 2 explosions in last 15 min
• One at Port, one inside Beirut
• Reports it’s near ex PM Hariri residence in city center
• Second very loud, shook city, houses
• This week is International Tribunal verdict into killing of Rafik Hariri

While Lebanon is going through economic crisis, Beirut has not seen such explosions in last 5 years.

Moment that the second explosion hit #Beirut Lebanon. Many houses damaged, injuries reported.

First was at Port. This is closer to downtown

UPDATE: Fmr PM Saad Hariri is fine following news.

Two explosions near port in Beirut #Lebanon , second one left lot of damages in houses and cars. Ambulances called to area.

Another video shows magnitude of when it happened

Security Sources in Beirut Lebanon telling local media it’s “fireworks depot”

Hard to know at this point. Videos suggest more than fireworks that exploded

Actual 📞 conversation moments ago with brother in North #Lebanon (I am in DC)

- Me: Hi, you guys ok
- Bro: Yes, why?
- M: Explosions in Beirut
- B: Today? I am in fields, can’t you hear tractor?
- M: Guess that’s good
- B: okay

Hope everyone else is safe in our beloved Beirut

Latest on situation in Beirut #Lebanon from @TheNationalUAE thenational.ae/world/mena/bei…

Horrible footage of destruction that explosions left in Beirut #Lebanon .

Many are injured (some estimating hundreds) and ambulances can’t keep up. Local media urging blood donations for nearby hospitals

Keep in mind that hospitals in Lebanon already overwhelmed by Coronavirus. Numbers more than doubled this month.

Really horrible time for the country

Be wary of fabricated news/screenshots on Beirut explosions

1- Israel has NOT claimed responsibility
2- Lebanon Health Ministry has NOT given casualty count
3- Only reasoning from Security sources has been fireworks
4- Ambulances still transporting people to hospitals

UPDATE: Beirut Explosion #Lebanon

• At least 10 killed (Reuters)
• Hundreds injured (Local media)
• Israel denies any involvement
• Security Director says “explosion in storage of highly explosive material”!
• Hospitals seeking blood donations
thenational.ae/world/mena/bei…

Sequence of events and number of explosions still unclear.

Small explosion and fire was reported first which then carried to storage triggering massive explosion.

Damages reported across 10 km in Beirut Lebanon from point of explosion

Level of destruction from #Beirut explosion today spells a disaster. Videos of Beirut port show mostly rubble.

Food shortages have already been happening in #Lebanon. With this and the main port paralyzed, a humanitarian Emergency is upon country

#France President Macron tweets in Arabic announcing that humanitarian aid already en route to #Lebanon.

Casualties only rising. We are > 3000 wounded, at least 40 dead in Beirut. Ambulances still carrying injured from location

https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1290724452712484864?s=20