Lebanon sees likely ‘external’ hand
RESCUERS SIFTED RUBBLE IN A RACE TO FIND ANYONE STILL ALIVE AFTER TUESDAY’S PORT EXPLOSION THAT KILLED 154 PEOPLE, INJURED 5,000
Beirut:lebanon’s president said on Friday its investigation into the biggest blast in Beirut’s history would examine whether it was caused by a “bomb” or “external interference” as residents sought to rebuild shattered homes and lives.
Rescuers sifted rubble in a race to find anyone still alive after Tuesday’s port explosion that killed 154 people, injured 5,000, smashed a swathe of the Mediterranean city and sent seismic shockwaves around the region.
“The cause has not been determined yet. There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act,” President Michel Aoun said in comments carried by local media and confirmed by his office.
Aoun, who had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port, said the investigation would also weigh if the blast was due to negligence or an accident. Twenty people had been detained so far.
Aoun also said that he knew about the huge stockpile of explosive material stored at Beirut’s port nearly three weeks before it blew up, adding he had ordered action be taken about it at the time, although he said he had no authority over the facility.