5 Aug 2020

Dozens killed, thousands injured in huge Beirut explosion

From Checkpoint, 5:09 pm on 5 August 2020

Warning: Details in this report may be disturbing to some viewers.

Dozens of people have been killed and at least 4,000 injured after a massive explosion at Beirut's seaport.

There were apocalyptic scenes across the city just after 6pm (local time) after thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored at a warehouse, exploded sending a fireball and a thick cloud into the air.

The force of the explosion, which was felt as far away as Cyprus, tore buildings apart and flipped cars into the air, turning the city into what now resembles a war zone.

And as Nick Truebridge reports, it's now a race against time in the search for survivors.

Show status: Off air

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