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"We are facing a national disaster very similar to that caused by the U.S. atomic attack on Hiroshima," Beirut's Mayor said.
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun Friday announced that the Beirut blast might have been provoked by a missile launched by foreign forces.
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"The investigation of the incident will show whether it was a foreign intrusion or a Beirut's port personnel negligence," Aoun assured.
On Wednesday, authorities considered the 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which were stored in a warehouse, were the possible detonator.
Multiple videos spread on social media suggest that a huge tremor-causing explosion was preceded by fire, possibly of firecrackers.
"We will look at how the explosive material entered the country and how it was stored. Then we will clarify whether the explosion was negligence or an accident. Finally, we will rule out the possibility that it was the consequence of outside intervention," Aoun said.
French rescue team departing paris orly airport for Beirut, Lebanon Today
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A few hours after the explosion, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that it might have been an attack. Israel, which has a decades-long conflict with Lebanon, denied any involvement.
"We are facing a national disaster very similar to that caused by the U.S. atomic attack on Hiroshima," Beirut's Mayor Marwan Abboud said.
France's President Emmanuel Macron will provide satellite images of the time of the explosion at the city's port.
So far, the explosion and its shock wave have left over 150 dead, about 5,000 injured, and 300,000 people homeless.
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