Beirut explosion LATEST: All Beirut port officials who have overseen storage and security since 2014 'under house arrest'

All Beirut Port security and storage officials are reportedly under house arrest after a massive explosion that left thousands injured and killed at least 100 people has damaged around half of the city.

All Beirut Port security and storage officials are reportedly under house arrest after a massive explosion that left thousands injured and killed at least 100 people has damaged around half of the city.

The blast sent seismic shockwaves through the city on Tuesday evening, destroying dozens of buildings and shattering windows. The cost of the damage is around $3billion, it was said today.

It was reportedly caused by "highly explosive sodium nitrate" confiscated from a ship by Lebanese authorities and placed in one of the warehouses located near the harbour. The Beirut port manager said he had no idea of the "extent" of the "dangerous materials" .

Lebanon's cabinet on Wednesday agreed to place all Beirut port officials who have overseen storage and security since 2014 under house arrest, ministerial sources have reportedly said. Meanwhile, Prime

Minister Hassan Diab has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon for help in a short televised speech, saying: "We are witnessing a real catastrophe."

Reference: Evening Standard Rebecca Speare-Cole, Luke O'Reilly 5 hrs ago: 5th August 2020