Beirut Explosion Investigation Update: Lebanon Government Orders House Arrest Port Officials

The Lebanese government has ordered the house arrest of several officials working at the port in Beirut where the deadly explosion took place on Tuesday, August 4.

The deadly blast in Beirut has killed over 100 people and has left thousands injured. The rescue team is working day and night to locate dozens of other citizens who are reported missing ever since the explosion, which is said to have caused billions of worth of damage.

The investigators in Lebanon are now looking into negligence concerning the storage of explosive material at the Beirut port as the possible reason for the explosion. A highly explosive fertilizer ammonium nitrite in a waterfront warehouse for many years.

The cause of the explosion is not yet clear. However, it has been linked by some officials to inappropriate storage of 2,750 tonnes of confiscated ammonium nitrate at the port for the last 6 years.

It is estimated that the shockwaves from the explosion have killed more than 135 people, leaving more than 5000 injured. According to official figures, it is estimated that more than 300,000 people lost their homes due to the explosion and the losses from the blast are expected to range between $10 to $15 billion.

At least one U.S. citizen has been killed in the blast and several others are reported to have suffered from injuries.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected US citizens and their families all possible consular assistance. We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional US citizens were affected," the US officials said in a statement.

The U.S. embassy released a statement confirming that all of its employees are safe.

Several countries from across the world have come forward to help Lebanon. While Australia has pledged $1.4m aid to Lebanon, medical aid from Russia and France has been said to reach Beirut for rescue and medical operations.

The Lebanese Prime Minister had said shortly after the blast that whosoever is responsible for this calamity will not be spared and the response is expected to be identified by the investigation team within five days of the Beirut explosion.