Unfortunately, the toll is growing by the hour: a very strong explosion yesterday afternoon occurred at the port of Beirut in Lebanon. Over 100 dead and 4000 injured. An Italian soldier was among the wounded. The explosion in Beirut it was of unimaginable power. And the many videos testify it, in a few spread on social networks. Strong images of smoke and fire everywhere. The power would have been so high that it could be heard as far as Cyprus, 200 kilometers away.
Panic and devastation for the explosion in Beirut, the causes are sought
The explosion occurred late yesterday afternoon in the port of the city. The investigations launched immediately are trying to trace the possible causes. And above all, it investigates a possible attack. For the moment, the most accredited lead would be that of a fire inside a warehouse in the port of Beirut. The site was stocked with 2.750 tons of ammonium nitrate, seized several years ago from a ship.
The Italian injured in the explosion in Beirut is a Unifil soldier
From the first reconnaissance by the government it emerged that there is also an Italian among the wounded. It is a military, slightly injured in the arm. In fact, the building where the twelve Italian soldiers were located would be damaged by the shock wave, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defense. The military transferred to another base. In addition, one of the Unifil ships of the Maritime Task Force that was docked in the port was damaged. The wounded on board then transferred to the hospitals.
An invitation to leave the city after the explosion
And while the search for the many missing persons who remained under the rubble of the buildings near the port continues, the rescue machine is operational. Thousands of injured were admitted to hospitals, and many of them sustained serious injuries. Lebanese health minister Hamad Hasan appealed to local media advising them to leave the city. In fact, the hazardous materials that are released into the air after the explosions could have harmful long-term and fatal effects.
The international aid chain, also Italy involved
The devastating explosion in Beirut destroyed entire neighborhoods. Houses damaged, cars destroyed. Damage also to Rafic Hariri International Airport, despite being a few kilometers away. And the international aid network was activated. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has asked for aid for Lebanon. "I am launching an urgent appeal - he said - to all the fraternal countries who love Lebanon to stand by it and help us heal our deep wounds ", the premier said.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte clarified that Italy will do “everything it can to support him. Together with the Farnesina and the Ministry of Defense we are monitoring the situation of our compatriots ”. To echo him the Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio. “Italy is close to friends Lebanese in this tragic moment - the Farnesina wrote on social media -. Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims, to whom we express our deep condolences, and to the injured people, to whom we wish a speedy recovery ". Humanitarian and medical aid also from Israel. Healthcare and aid also from France, Turkey, United States.
