Breaking News: Twin Explosions Kill Hundreds, Injure Thousands

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 Tease

  • Holiday Gift Guide for the Last Minute Shopper

    As much as holiday shopping is a thrill-filled function, it can also overwhelm amid the glut of retail marketing messages asserting deals, steals and grand gifting opportunities galore. With so much to choose from, here’s a start.

     
  • Teen, Tortured and Shamed by Dad, Commits Suicide

    Isabel Laxamana, a beautiful raven haired ‘tween, suffered the brutalities of bullying when her father believing discipline, including shaming, would stop any future poor social media choices chopped off her long hair on camera and uploaded the video.

     
  • World News: The European Union, Poland, Putin, and The Wall

    The surging migratory pressure Poland is experiencing on its eastern border has the European Union once again confronting its contradictions in a disruptive and duplicitous geopolitical game led by an increasingly suspicious Russian President Vladimir Putin.

     
  • A California Closing Review – The Perfect Set of Characters for A Summertime Read

    Ready for a digital detox? Looking for the perfect summer read, a purely fun, page turner, turned down corners, smudged pages, a no app necessary, trashy, romance novel or high brow biography; soft or hard a genuine book?

     
  • Orange County Restaurant Week Returns

    Orange County Restaurant Week, the region's most celebrated culinary event for more than a decade, returns Sunday, March 3th through Saturday, March 9th with nearly 150 restaurants participating offering diners a wide variety of options.

     
  • Marvel's The Avengers - Action Packed Thrills from Director Joss Whedon

    The Avengers, a fast action, non-stop thrill ride, recently hosted its global press junket which featured the first full length and only pre-release screening of the highly anticipated summer event film!