Protestors clash with Lebanese security forces in Beirut

Friday, 7 August 2020 12:22

Protesters in Beirut have clashed with Lebanese security forces during anti-government demonstrations in the capital on Thursday.

Officers deployed tear gas on dozens of demonstrators, who were angered by Tuesday’s devastating blast caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely since 2013.

At least 135 people have died and 5,000 others were injured as a result of the explosion, which many people in the country have said was caused by the government’s negligence.

An entire district in the capital was destroyed because of the incident, displacing more than 300,000 people.

The Lebanese state news agency reported earlier that 16 people have been taken into custody as part of an investigation announced by the government.

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