Foreign
Lebanon: At least 50 killed as huge explosion rocks Beirut, many injured
A large blast in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has killed at least 27 people and injured more than 2,500 others, the health minister says.
It is not yet clear what caused the explosion. Videos show smoke billowing from a fire before the blast, which is followed by a mushroom cloud..
Hospitals are said to be overwhelmed and many buildings have been destroyed.
Lebanon’s internal security chief said the blast happened in an area housing highly explosive materials.
A BBC journalist at the scene reported dead bodies and severe damage, enough to put the port of Beirut out of action.
The explosion comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon, with an economic crisis reigniting old divisions. Tensions are also high ahead of Friday’s verdict in a trial over the killing of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Officials are pointing to an accident rather than a deliberate act as a possible cause.
The interior minister said first reports suggested what he called explosive material stored at the port had blown up.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab called it a catastrophe and said those responsible must be held to account.
He spoke of a “dangerous warehouse” which had been there since 2014, but said he would not pre-empt the investigation.
Local media showed people trapped beneath rubble. A witness described the first explosion as deafening, and video footage showed wrecked cars and blast-damaged buildings.
“All the buildings around here have collapsed. I’m walking through glass and debris everywhere, in the dark,” one witness near the port told AFP news agency.
The blast was heard 240km (150 miles) away on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
President Michel Aoun called for an emergency meeting of the Supreme Defence Council, the presidency said on Twitter. Wednesday has been declared a day of mourning.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident.”
Drama as Nigerian man slaps girlfriend over cake-cutting at party
Police declare Sydney church stabbing a terror attack ‘motivated by religious extremism’
Drama as student and his teacher engaging in heated argument sparks outrage (Watch)
INFLATION: ₦20, ₦10, ₦5 now ‘irrelevant’
“There were life jackets provided for Junior Pope and others, and I was supposed to be on that boat” – Adanma Luke breaks silence (Video)
Destiny Etiko reacts after two prophets warned her about some colleagues’ plans to end her (Watch)
Gunmen abduct wife and house help of APC governorship aspirant in Benue, demand N100 million ransom
“He has so much sense” – Davido response when asked if he is in communication with Wizkid and Burna Boy stirs reactions online (Video)
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist1 day ago“He has so much sense” – Davido response when asked if he is in communication with Wizkid and Burna Boy stirs reactions online (Video)
-
News2 days agoNigerian military reacts as soldiers allegedly torture hotel manager to death in Abia after colleague drown
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist2 days agoDavido beams with joy as fan proposes to girlfriend in his presence (Video)
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist1 day agoLeaked video of Davido begging in tears to sleep with American model goes viral (Watch)