Live updates and on death, injury and destruction in Beirut, Lebanon....

[KY_EnviroGuy]

Beirut explosion: at least 78 dead and 4,000 wounded, says Lebanon health ministry – live updates

Interior minister says ammonium nitrate likely caused at least one explosion amid reports hospitals too damaged to treat patients

The Guardian World News

See: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-huge-blast-port-lebanon-capital

Scroll down to see photos of the horrific destruction from this explosion, or see "In Pictures" link below.

Other Guardian articles available on this disaster:

Full report: Lebanon in mourning: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/lebanon-in-mourning-after-deadly-beirut-blasts

Crisis upon crisis: blast rocks a Lebanon already on its knees: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/crisis-upon-crisis-blast-rocks-a-lebanon-already-on-its-knees

Ammonium nitrate: what is the chemical blamed for blast in Lebanese capital?: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/ammonium-nitrate-what-is-the-chemical-blamed-for-blast-in-lebanese-capital

‘We’re cursed’: shock and despair as explosion devastates city: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/cursed-shock-despair-beirut-explosion-rocks-city-lebanon

Beirut explosion – in pictures: https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-in-pictures

Time for all nations to step up and lend Lebanon a hand with emergency aid.

KY..........

[BigmanPigman]

1. MSNBC's Richard Engel reported that the people

have had only hours of power/electricity each day, every day. Their money/savings are gone so they are trading to get food and milk. The residents have to trade due to the lack of currency. Now, tons of fertilizer has beed ignited and caused two massive explosions, harming thousands and countless dead. These poor people have had bad on top of bad and it is somehow getting even worse...

[KY_EnviroGuy]

2. Thanks, BigmanPigman for that update. Lebanon needs massive help and.....

it's horrible that we have a leadership vacuum that's of little value to America, much less our international friends. Hell, Republicans even shit all over our own territory of Puerto Rico when they desperately needed help.

I haven't followed Lebanon much lately but my past reading says they have a total void for a government with nothing but corruption and constant bickering even over basic necessities.

If noting else good comes of this event, perhaps it will be a wake up call to make major changes in their government. Unfortunately, like America, they are a very divided people.

KY........

[BigmanPigman]

3. Yes, their situation is so bad that it makes ours look like a picnic.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis-turmoil-timeline/timeline-lebanons-ordeal-economic-and-political-crises-since-civil-war-idUSKCN24M1G6

[Rhiannon12866]

4. News from Twitter:

Link to tweet

[regnaD kciN]

5. And, of course, 45 is now declaring (without evidence) that it was a terrorist attack...

...because his "great generals" told him so. For the record, the "great generals" are refusing to comment.

https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Aug-05/509877-trump-massive-explosion-in-beirut-was-likely-an-attack.ashx

[Behind the Aegis]

6. The conspiracy theories are already flying.

Most, unsurprisingly, are aimed at Israel. Hizz'ballah is also being blamed. Interestingly enough, BOTH "theories" are coming from MAGAts. Of course, the former is also coming from non-RW sources; again, unsurprisingly. Not to be outdone, the POS in the WH is also making false claims.

The videos are devastating and so sad. Cars being blown off the road, children screaming "I don't want to die!", buildings collapsing; it is all just so sad and scary.

Of course, all the "scientists" and "explosion experts" are coming out of the woodwork.

[JI7]

7. I'm sure it's the usual ones with their own agenda. Something horrible happened due to an accident

There are people suffering but the usual crowd are disappointed they can't use it for their own agenda.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

8. In the end, I suspect this will come down to Lebanese government disfunction.

Those guys can't even agree on how to get rid of Beirut's garbage, much less regulate, inspect and enforce standard industrial safety practices.

I can't even comprehend the quantities of rumors floating about considering Lebanon's location, ethnicity mix, religious mix, culture, history and politics: Lebanese, Arab, Persian peoples with the interests of dozens of nations (including Russia, Iran, Syria and Israel) in the mix.

Should be no surprise they're so dysfunctional.

[JI7]

9. And already dealing with the Coronavirus

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Yup! It is their way.

The economy is failing, COVID, and general BS, Lebanon is really hurting.