Donald Trump has said US generals believe the Beirut explosion was a ‘bomb of some kind’, as he described the blast as a ‘terrible attack’.
Speaking at the White House during the daily coronavirus press conference, the US President sent America’s ‘deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon’ as he pledged to support the country.
He said: ‘Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon. We have a very good relationship with the people of Lebanon and we will be there to help. It looks like a terrible attack.’
Trump was then asked by reporters to clarify whether he was saying the blast was not an accident, to which he replied: ‘Well it would seem like it, based on the explosion.’
He went on to add that US generals ‘seem to think it was an attack’, adding that they believe ‘it was a bomb of some kind, yes.’
The explosion on Beirut’s port has so-far killed 78 people and injured more than 4,000 others, with the number expected to continue rising overnight. Overwhelmed hospitals have been forced to treat patients outdoors and have called out for urgent blood donations.
Earlier today, Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said the explosion may have been caused by highly explosive material which was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored in a port warehouse.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab then specified that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been left unsecured in the building for six years, as he pledged to punish those responsible.
He said: ‘I will not rest until we find the person responsible for what happened so we can hold them to account and impose the most severe punishment.
‘It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures and endangering the safety of citizens.’
Diab also called for a national day of mourning to take place on Wednesday.
As well as the US, countries such as France, Canada, the UK and Israel have offered humanitarian assistance and support to Lebanon. Israel’s support comes after the nation’s officials denied involvement in the blasts amid ongoing tensions with the country.
Taking to Twitter, Boris Johnson described the destruction left in Beirut as ‘shocking’. He went on: ‘All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.’
His words were echoed by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who also tweeted that the UK ‘stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon’. He stated that his thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected by the blast.
The UK Foreign Office has now confirmed that a small number of staff at the UK embassy are among the thousands injured and are receiving medical attention where necessary.
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