Beirut explosion: World reacts to deadly Lebanon blast

While other world leaders were offering their condolences in response to the horrific Beirut explosion, Donald Trump was speculating wildly.

World leaders have reacted with horror and sympathy to the explosion in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, which has left dozens dead and thousands wounded.

The blast erupted in the city’s port area late on Tuesday afternoon, local time. It destroyed buildings, flattened houses, ripped balconies from apartments, tossed cars from the nearby motorway and sent a massive plume of red smoke billowing into the sky.

The death toll currently stands at 78, and is certain to keep growing. More than 4000 people are believed to be injured.

RELATED: Huge explosion rocks Lebanon’s capital city

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear, but General Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon’s security service, said he believed “highly explosive materials” stored at the site of the blast were to blame.

He warned against speculating about any potential terror attack.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab later revealed 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored in a warehouse at the site for six years “without precautionary measures being taken”.

“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,” Mr Diab said.

RELATED: 2750 tonnes of explosives were stored at warehouse

Wounded people are waiting outside Beirut’s overwhelmed hospitals. Picture: Ibrahim Amro/AFP

Part of the city has been levelled. Picture: STR/AFP

US President Donald Trump brushed off that explanation when he addressed the explosion during his daily coronavirus briefing at the White House, labelling it an “attack”.

“Let me begin by sending America’s deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, where reports indicate that many, many people were killed. Hundreds more were badly wounded,” Mr Trump 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.”

Reporters followed up, asking Mr Trump whether he was “confident this was an attack and not an accident”.

“Well it would seem like it, based on the explosion,” the President said.

“I met with some of our great generals, and they just seem to think that it was. This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event, this was a – seems to be, according to them, they would know better than I would, but they seem to think it was an attack, it was a bomb of some kind, yes.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US would wait for Lebanese authorities to reach a conclusion on the cause of the blast.

US President Donald Trump today. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was more circumspect than Mr Trump. Appearing on Sunrise this morning, he said there was no information yet on the cause of the tragedy.

“There are normally around 20,000 Australians there at any time. We couldn’t say, because of COVID-19 restrictions, how many returned,” Mr Morrison said.

“It is very distressing, and I can confirm there has been one Australian that has been killed, which is terribly devastating.

“We can’t give more details on the specifics at this time, but our sympathies to all of the people in Lebanon. There is a large Lebanese-Australian community here and they would be worried about loved ones. The details will hopefully be provided soon.”

Mr Morrison said the Australian embassy in Beirut had been “significantly impacted” by the blast, but all of its staff were well, aside from some “cuts and scratches”.

RELATED: Australian confirmed dead in Beirut explosion

On Channel 9’s Today program, he urged any Australians concerned about their family members to call DFAT on [phone].

“Our hearts really go out to the Lebanese-Australian community. I know there will be many prayers in the churches and the mosques in Australia, but again, given the COVID restrictions, I would just urge the appropriate response,” Mr Morrison said.

“Those private prayers this morning will be the ones that people will be offering, and so will I.”

Terrible scenes out of Beirut after a major explosion. Our hearts go out to those caught up in this tragedy and to our Australian Lebanese community waiting to hear from their loved ones. Australia stands ready to provide our support, including to any Australians affected.

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) August 4, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the images coming out of Beirut as “shocking”.

“The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident,” Mr Johnson said.

“The United Kingdom is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was already sending aid to Lebanon.

“I express my fraternal solidarity with the Lebanese after the explosion which claimed so many victims this evening in Beirut,” he said.

“France stands alongside Lebanon, always. French aid and resources are being transported to the site.”

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said its embassy staff had been wounded by the blast.

“We cannot for the moment exclude German nationals figuring among the dead and wounded,” it said.

Like her European counterparts, Chancellor Angela Merkel offered Lebanon aid, saying she was “shocked”.

Israel has no diplomatic relations with Lebanon, but it is trying to help regardless.

“Under the direction of (myself) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel approached Lebanon through international defence and diplomatic channels to offer the Lebanese government medical humanitarian aid,” Defence Minister Benny Gantz said.