Breaking News: Twin Explosions Kill Hundreds, Injure Thousands

Details
Category: World News
Published on Tuesday, 04 August 2020 12:32
Written by Janet Walker

Twin explosions destroyed a portion of the sea port in Lebanon, Beirut, leveling buildings, sending massive concrete slabs hurling to the streets, smashing automobiles, killing pedestrians, and creating a widespread repercussion wave that shook the city.

The Secretary General of Lebanon's Kateab Party is known to have been among the hundreds, if not thousands who died, in the afternoon explosion which Lebanon state media is attributing to chemicals stored at the port.

Beltway Insider: Trump/GOP Derail, Boost Benefits, COVID-19 Surge, Totals, Boston Bomber, Election

"Mohammed Fahmi, Lebanon's interior minister, said it appeared to have been caused by ammonium nitrate that was stored in a warehouse at the port," reported Al Jazzera.com.

The initial explosion, which occurred about 6:00PM local time, originated in a fireworks warehouse which could be seen from a distance. Emergency crews were onsite as the flames from the first explosion breached the roof of the building sending plumes of grey smoke, visible for miles, into the sky.

World News: European Axis Shifts as France and Germany Emerge as EU Leaders

A much stronger second explosion, which has been seen on social media, detonated engulfing the vibrate waterfront district sending ground shaking quakes across the city, leveling buildings and sending massive plumes of red, brown and orange smoke into the air.

Concrete boulders, the size of small automobiles, hurtled down on the streets smashing vehicles, pedestrians and burying many under debris. Earthquake rescue teams, and cadaver dogs were brought in to assist with the search.

World News: France-Germany Lead EU, Agree to Recovery Plan

Local emergency crews suffered heavy losses as social media postings indicated many firefighters were onsite battling the inferno from the first blast when the second catastrophic blast detonated.

The explosion was so strong individuals onboard the Italian Ship, "The Orient Queen," were among those injured.

"The ship is totally destroyed - the cabins the lounge, everything," Vincenco Orlandini, a 69-year-old crew member, told Al Jazeera. "I heard the blast and I flew to the opposite of the lobby, then I landed on the carpet and I'm lucky, I think that saved me," Al Jazeera News reported.

Presidente Mexicano Andrés Manuel López Obrador Hablo con Noticias Telemundo's Javier Vega

The strength of the secondary explosion sent shock waves across the city blowing out glass windows, ripping doors off hinges and sending concrete projectiles for miles slamming holes into homes and business.

News media organizations have revised the death toll to unknown with thousands injured.

This is a developing story.

Haute News

Haute Tease

  • World News: France . . .This Way Out

    Presented by President Emmanuel  Macron as an emergency exit to a country paralyzed by the gangue of an obsolete political and social environment, the new world is struggling to see the light of day.

     

  • World News: French President Macron Freezes Out Algeria

    Engaging in a memorial policy aimed at placing the place of a state in an objective historical reality is the challenge of memorial policies. France has embarked on it and not without difficulty.

     

  • Julia Review - Delicious, Charming, Amusing

    Julia, from HBO Max, presents a delightful sampling of the early days of her television series, as she navigates the changing times, the success of her French cookbook and the bold decision to pursue her dreams.

     

  • Fashion and Style Fixes and Tricks Review – A Round-Up for the Fashionista Everywhere

    Every fashionista knows that putting together a great look can often be fraught with problems, annoyances, or plain old doldrums. However, ever-clever apparel and accessory designers are continually bringing innovations to market that help ensure your efforts to rock chic, stylish and fresh looks don't hit a snag.  Here's one notable group of fixes, tricks and helpful conveniences to help you thwart a litany of fashion and footwear frustrations and even create looks that are unforgettable:

     

  • The 22nd Annual COLCOA French Film Festival Opens

    Promise at Dawn, from Director Eric Barbier, opened the 22nd Annual COLCOA French Film Festival, the oft time hilarious story of an overbearing single mother, her son, her aspirations for him and society in pre-war Europe.

     

  • Celebrity Interview: Wes Studi, Talks on Acting, Making "A Love Song," and his Musical Roots

    A Love Song, from Bleecker Street and Stage 6 Films and directed by Max Walker Silverman, is receiving serious critical acclaim and features Wes Studi, co-starring as Leto the romantic interest, in the quiet compelling love story.