Author: Bible Society, 6 August 2020
The Bible Society of Lebanon has asked for prayer after the blast that hit the capital Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 135 people and injuring around 5,000 others.
The Society's offices were damaged by the explosion but all of the staff are safe and have begun to clear up broken glass and other wreckage.
Many people are still missing after the blast and rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors.
The Beirut blast caused glass to shatter
and other damage at the Bible Society
offices.
In a statement, the Society said: 'We praise God for the safety of our colleagues. We also ask you to join us in continuing to pray for the team serving with the Bible Society in Lebanon, for all people in Beirut who are injured or who have family and loved ones who died in the explosion, for the process of repairing the Bible Society Centre, and for the continued ministry of the Bible Society in Lebanon of sharing Scripture at this time.'
It is believed that the blast was caused when 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded. The chemical is used as an agricultural fertiliser and in the manufacture of explosives.
Lebanon is already facing an economic crisis and the destruction of its main port facility in the explosion will add to its difficulties. President Michel Aoun declared a state of emergency and announced three days of mourning after the explosion. At an emergency cabinet meeting he said: 'No words can describe the horror that has hit Beirut last night, turning it into a disaster-stricken city.'
As well as the toll of death and injured, Beirut is facing a crisis of homelessness because so many homes have been damaged or destroyed. Its medical services have been overwhelmed.
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