Two Sri Lankans injured in Beirut explosion: SL Embassy in Lebanon

COLOMBO (News 1st): Based on reports received so far, two Sri Lankans have been injured due to the massive explosion in the capital of Beirut on Tuesday, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon said on Wednesday (Aug 5). The Sri Lanka Embassy is awaiting further information in this regard from the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, a statement from the embassy noted. Ambassodor of Sri Lanka in Lebanon said, further developments on the incident will be conveyed upon confirmation. A massive explosion was reported in Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday (Aug 4). Sri Lanka Embassy in Beirut suffered minor damages following the explosion, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Relations said. Further residences of the embassy officials were also damaged due to the explosion. The statement from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon confirmed that embassy officials have not sustained any injuries. Around 25,000 Sri Lankans presently reside in Lebanon and the Sri Lanka Embassy continues to maintain 24-hour hotlines which are open for queries. Lebanese President – Michel Aoun called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared following a massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people and injured 4,000 others, foreign media reported. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. Officials linked the explosion to some 2,750 tonnes of confiscated ammonium nitrate that were being stored in a warehouse at the port for six years, reported foreign media.