France President Macros pays visit to Lebanon after massive blast

Beirut : French President Emmanuel Macron paid a visit to Beirut to show support to Lebanon after two massive explosions tore through the capital city two days back. France and other countries have sent their emergency aid and search-and-rescue teams.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Lebanon was already reeling through a huge economic loss, and the blast has added to their worries. At least 135 people were killed in the blast and thousands were injured.

The blast on Tuesday appears to be caused from an accidental fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate at the port, rippled across the Lebanese capital.

The event may have also accelerated the spread of coronavirus in the nation as most of the people rushed for the hospitals. Hundreds of thousands have shifted to their relatives as their houses have been damaged, multiplying the risk of transmission of infection.

Losses from the blast are estimated to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud told the Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath on Wednesday, adding that nearly 300,000 people are homeless.