Lebanon explosion: Beirut death toll climbs to at least 100 and injured nearly 4000

Beirut, Lebanon: The streets of Beirut were severely damaged on Wednesday as people recalled witnessing the explosion on Tuesday that killed 100 people and injured nearly 4,000.

Tuesday's blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut, already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. The capital's port area was left in ruins and smoke was seen billowing from the rubble. Facades of central Beirut buildings were ripped off, furniture was sucked into streets and roads were strewn with glass and debris.

President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and he said that was "unacceptable." He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Beirut's mayor, Jamal Itani said it would cost billions of dollar to repair the damage caused by the blast.

Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. The head of Lebanon's Red Cross, George Kettani, said at least 100 people had been killed. Kettani earlier told broadcaster LBCI that the Red Cross was coordinating with the health ministry to set up morgues because hospitals were overwhelmed.

Pope Francis called for an international prayer for Lebanon on Wednesday. Hours after the blast, which went off shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. The blast was heard throughout Cyprus, which is about 100 miles (160 km) away.