Pamela. T. Munyoro
Beirut, Lebanon. (News of The South) – More than 200 people are believed to have been killed, following Tuesday’s devastating explosion in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
The explosion is believed to have been caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was poorly stored for six years.
Protests have been erupting since Friday last week, the people are demanding for answers and want those responsible to face justice because of government’s negligence, corruption and mismanagement which led to the massive blast.
The army has meanwhile called off the rescue phase of its search operation at the port, the epicenter of the blast.
On Sunday there was a second night of violence in the city, as police clashed with protesters angry with the government’s response to the disaster.
Since the explosion, hundreds of thousands of people have been living in severely damaged homes, many without windows or doors, for about 300 000 people were left homeless.
UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis unless food and medical aid are delivered immediately and inability to continue fight the Covid-19.
International donors pledged $297m (£227m) in aid for Lebanon at a virtual summit on Sunday hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
They said the funds had to be “directly delivered to the Lebanese population”.
Dozens of angry protesters stormed government ministries and the headquarters of the country’s banking association.
Many countries have already offered aid, including the UK, France and China showing their deepest sympathies to the Lebanese people.
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