Beirut Blast Leaves Three Lakh Homeless, Cost Of Damage Tops $3 Billion, Says Governor Marwan Abboud

A massive devastating blast rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 3. At least 100 people were reported to have lost their lives in the explosion, while over 4,000 people sustained injuries. Governor of Beirut Marwan Abboud said that the blast caused damage of more than $3 billion. Abboud added that the blast damage extended over half of the city. According to the Beirut governor, around three lakh people were left homeless due to the blast. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has urged his country's allies to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Meanwhile, Diab declared August 5 a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions. Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an emergency meeting of the Higher Defence Council to discuss the reasons and repercussions of the explosions. The blast was so powerful that it could be heard 240 km (150 miles) away on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. The explosion was reported hours before a UN tribunal was scheduled to deliver verdict in the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2020 02:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).