Massive Explosion Killed More Than 70, Injured Thousands in Beirut
2020-08-05
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1A massive explosion shook Beirut Tuesday, flattening much of the Lebanese capital's port and damaging buildings across the city.
2The country's health minister reported more than 70 people were killed and at least 3,000 others were injured.
3Officials expected the number of dead to increase as emergency workers continue to search the ruins for victims.
4Hours after the explosion, emergency vehicles continued to transport the wounded to medical centers as army helicopters helped fight fires at the port.
5The explosion was Beirut's most powerful in years.
6It was so huge that some people in the city thought an earthquake had occured.
7It could be heard and felt as far away as Cyprus, more than 200 kilometers across the Mediterranean.
8The cause of the explosion has not been reported.
9Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said a supply of highly explosive material in port storage might be to blame.
10A local television station reported that material as ammonium nitrate.
11Witnesses said an orange cloud appeared after the explosion.
12Such clouds often result from explosions involving nitrates.
13An Israeli government official said Israel "had nothing to do" with the explosion.
14Israel has fought several wars in Lebanon.
15And tensions continue to rise between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
16Marwan Ramadan was about 500 meters from the port when the explosion forced him off his feet.
17He told the Associated Press, "It was a real horror show. I haven't seen anything like that since the days of the (civil) war."
18Beirut's governor, Marwan Abboud, cried as he explored the wreckage, describing the city as "devastated."
19A witness told Reuters, "I saw a fireball and smoke...People were screaming and running, bleeding. Balconies were blown off buildings."
20"This country is cursed," one young man said.
21The explosion happened as Lebanon's economy is facing collapse from a financial crisis and coronavirus restrictions.
22Many people are unemployed. Some have lost savings and others have been thrown into poverty.
23I'm Caty Weaver.
1A massive explosion shook Beirut Tuesday, flattening much of the Lebanese capital's port and damaging buildings across the city. 2The country's health minister reported more than 70 people were killed and at least 3,000 others were injured. 3Officials expected the number of dead to increase as emergency workers continue to search the ruins for victims. Hours after the explosion, emergency vehicles continued to transport the wounded to medical centers as army helicopters helped fight fires at the port. 4The explosion was Beirut's most powerful in years. It was so huge that some people in the city thought an earthquake had occured. It could be heard and felt as far away as Cyprus, more than 200 kilometers across the Mediterranean. 5The cause of the explosion has not been reported. 6Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said a supply of highly explosive material in port storage might be to blame. A local television station reported that material as ammonium nitrate. 7Witnesses said an orange cloud appeared after the explosion. Such clouds often result from explosions involving nitrates. 8An Israeli government official said Israel "had nothing to do" with the explosion. Israel has fought several wars in Lebanon. And tensions continue to rise between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. 9Marwan Ramadan was about 500 meters from the port when the explosion forced him off his feet. He told the Associated Press, "It was a real horror show. I haven't seen anything like that since the days of the (civil) war." 10Beirut's governor, Marwan Abboud, cried as he explored the wreckage, describing the city as "devastated." 11A witness told Reuters, "I saw a fireball and smoke...People were screaming and running, bleeding. Balconies were blown off buildings." 12"This country is cursed," one young man said. 13The explosion happened as Lebanon's economy is facing collapse from a financial crisis and coronavirus restrictions. Many people are unemployed. Some have lost savings and others have been thrown into poverty. 14I'm Caty Weaver. 15Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Associated Press and Reuters news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor. 16___________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18occur - v. to happen 19devastate - v. destroy, cause great damage 20scream - v. to suddenly cry out loud 21balcony - n. a raised platform that is connected to the side of a building and surrounded by a low wall or railing 22cursed - adj. affected by something bad