Tuesday s blast in Beirut has already claimed 135 casualties and more than five thousand were injured. As the disaster took place in the city port, the government has ordered the house arrest of several port officials pending an ongoing investigation on suspicion of negligence.

The explosion of around 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in the port of Beirut on Tuesday has caused an almost incalculable damage. The city where more than 300,000 people have lost their homes now lies in ruins, with the blast killing at least 135 and injuring around 5,000 people. The loud explosion was heard throughout Cyprus, more than 200 km away.

News reports suggest that ammonium nitrate, the cause of the disaster, has been stored illegally in the port for many years. Authorities have launched an investigation but the cause of the explosion is still unclear. The government has ordered the house arrest of several port officials, and investigators are focusing on a possible case of negligence.

Lebanon s cabinet has declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital, and Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud has confirmed that the blast has caused an estimated loss of between 10 to 15 billion dollars. Many have rushed to provide assistance to those in need in the capital: Australia has offered financial assistance to the tune of $1.4 million, Russia has pledged to provide medical aid, while French President Emmanuel Macron is set pay a personal visit at th esit eof the disaster on Thursday. The four Visegrad Group countries have also offered to help the Lebanese through sending medicine, specialists and humanitarian aid.