LEBANON’S capital was devastated by an explosion in the port area of the city on August 4, killing hundreds and injuring thousands.
But where is Beirut and what is the latest in Lebanon? Here is everything you’ll need to know…
Where is Beirut?
Beirut is the capital city of Lebanon.
It is Lebanon’s largest city and chief port with a prime location on the Mediterranean coast.
Lebanon shares its borders with Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
How many people live in the Lebanon capital?
There is an estimated population of Beirut is 2,424,425.
What is Lebanon’s GDP?
According to the World Bank, Lebanon’s GDP for 2019 was 53billion (the UK’s GDP for 2019 was 2.82trillion).
The explosion of the port came at a time when the country is facing its worst political and economic crisis in history.
The Lebanese economy has been in deep crisis amid political disputes since October last year.
The Lebanese pound has already lost more than 80 per cent of its value since late last year.
Before the coronavirus outbreak hit the country the country was already in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which were on the verge of collapse.
What is the latest on Beirut explosion?
On August 4, a massive explosion killed at least 100 people and left thousands injured after the blast devastated parts of Lebanon’s capital Beirut.
Pictures show buildings destroyed, people walking wounded, and a sea of wreckage after the blast that could be heard some 125 miles away in Cyprus.
Rescuers worked throughout the night into Wednesday morning in an attempt to find those missing and trapped amongst the rubble.
Lebanon’s state news agency NNA and two security sources said the blast had occurred in the port area where there are warehouses housing explosives, reports Reuters.
Nearby buildings around the port have been levelled, windows and doors have been blown out, and fires burn as smoke plumes billow across Beirut.
The Government Palace – the home of Lebanon’s PM Hassan Diab – was damaged in the blast, and his wife and daughter were injured in the explosion.
Mr Diab said: “What happened is a major national catastrophe and the scenes we see tell about the scale of the disaster that struck Lebanon and Beirut.”
Security sources on Wednesday morning claimed a welder sparked the fire that caused the blast.
If you wish to donate to help the people of Beirut, a list can be found here.
