A mysterious explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday that killed at least 100 people and injured over 4,000 even caused damage at Beirut’s main international airport…10 kilometers away from the blast.
Explosion Damages Beirut Airport
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) suffered shattered windows and collapsed ceilings near the airlines’ arrival hall.
Even the Beirut airport (around 10 km from the explosion) was damaged by the explosion #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/rE2yvy0CnA
— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) August 4, 2020
Beirut Airport after the #Beirut explosion. To put it in perspective, the airport is 6 miles away on the other side of the city. pic.twitter.com/jVVCYKncsZ
— BeetPress Political Commentator 🌹 (@PressBeet) August 4, 2020
The National, an English newspaper in the United Arab Emirates, also reports that the lounges inside the airport suffered damage. Priority Pass, which partners with all three lounges inside the airport, said it was surveying the damage.
A spokesperson for Middle East Airlines, the flag carrier of Lebanon based at BEY, said “no serious damage was sustained to any of MEA’s fleet on the ground.”
Despite the damage, flights are operating as normal into and out of BEY.
Lebanese authorities believe the explosion was caused by 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, used as an agricultural fertilizer, which had been sitting in warehouse in the Beirut port for six years. The fertilizer was not securely stored, though authorities believe the explosion was not intentional.
CONCLUSION
This story makes me so sad because Beirut was already hit so hard with economic turmoil and this was greatly exacerbated by COVID-19. And now this. To the people of Beirut, I wish you a speedy recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with you today.
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One of the nicest countries with the warmest people you can find. It is just very sad that they have been suffering so much for so long.
I completely agree. I visited Lebanon in June 2019 and can’t say enough good things. The Lebanese never get a break.
Excellent analysis of what happened:
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2020/08/04/what-just-blew-up-in-beirut/
As you said, a terrible tragedy for a country already stressed. So sad.
Very helpful link. Thanks for sharing!
It just came to my mind, that what might have happened at the airport, I thought that some blog would write about it. I am not disappointed.
A mysterious explosion? You missed the news?
Have to feel sorry for the people of Lebanon. They have been through so much over the decades. I have heard so much about the country and hope to go there one day.