Beirut, August 5, 2020. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez sent a message of condolences to his Lebanese counterpart General Michel Aoun in which he stated: “It is with regret that I have learned of the explosion that occurred in areas of the Port of Beirut, which it has caused dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries. I convey my deepest condolences on behalf of the Cuban people and government and I ask that you extend them to the families of the victims. "
For his part, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla conveyed on Twitter, “Heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of Lebanon in the face of the loss of human lives and numerous injuries caused by the explosion in the port of Beirut. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims”.
The explosion was preceded by a small blast, a Sputnik correspondent in Beirut reported to Al-Mayadeen, who added that after about five minutes, black and white smoke appeared, then a powerful explosion occurred and a column of red smoke rose. to the sky.
Security sources confirmed that the explosion occurred at Pier 12 with pyrotechnic materials. The Governor of Beirut stated that the explosions have affected approximately half of the capital.
The detonations also damaged the international airport, located several kilometers from the epicenter. The impact of the roar was such that it was even felt in Limassol, Cyprus. For their part, Jordanian seismologists compared the power of the explosion with that of a 4.5 magnitude earthquake, reports RT.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun called an urgent meeting with the Security Council tonight and announced that tomorrow will be a day of mourning. (Embacuba Libano / Granma)