An aerial view shows the massive damage at Beirut port's grain silos (C) and the area around it on August 5, 2020, one day after a massive explosion hit the harbour in the heart of the Lebanese capital. - Rescuers searched for survivors in Beirut in the morning after a cataclysmic explosion at the port sowed devastation across entire neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and plunging Lebanon deeper into crisis. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
Chaotic scenes emerged from Beirut after it was rocked by the explosion on Wednesday (NZT). Images of collapsed buildings, debris-strewn streets, wounded people and overflowing hospitals were broadcast to the world.
The explosion killed at least 135 people and wounded about 5000, and a two-week state of emergency has been declared.
HASSAN AMMAR/AP
A damaged building in Beirut, Lebanon.
The blast was caused by 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate detonating at the city’s port. The highly explosive chemical, which is used in fertiliser, had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013.
These comparative satellite images of the city’s port show the extensive damage and destruction caused by the explosion:
Before:
After:
Satellite images show just how badly Beirut’s port was damaged in the explosion
These comparative images show the extensive damage of the port buildings.
Before:
After:
The extent of the Beirut explosion
Before:
After
HUSSEIN MALLA/AP
Citizens ride their scooters and motorcycles in front of a house that was destroyed in Tuesday’s massive explosion.
HASSAN AMMAR/AP
Hospitals were among the damaged buildings after the huge blast.
PLANET LABS INC. VIA AP
Residents of Beirut confronted a scene of utter devastation a day after a massive explosion at the port rippled across the Lebanese capital. (Planet Labs Inc. via AP)
HUSSEIN MALLA/AP
Rescue workers and security officers pictured surrounded by twisted metal and collapsed buildings following the massive explosion.
Aerial footage shows the devastating impact of a massive explosion that killed at least 100 people in Lebanon’s capital Beirut.
