On August 4, Beirut, Lebanon, witnessed an explosion that killed 135 people and injured 4000. BBC News quoted President Michel Aoun confirming that it was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate not stored properly at a warehouse in the port. The vibrations of the blast were felt all the way in Cyprus which is around 240 km away from the capital.
In the aftermath of all the devastation, the residents of the city have teamed up to clear the streets of the debris and rubble, reports NY Times. Here are some visuals of the self-organized cleanup showing the indomitable spirit of the city.
Armenia street last night and just now. The clean up effort on our street has been amazing. #LebanonExplosion #Beirut pic.twitter.com/ipIKjMrlaN
— Nadia Hardman (@Nadia_Hardman) August 5, 2020
Today was great,can’t express the sadness I felt during the cleanup day in Beirut
The Damages are huge
Head to the streets, help clean people houses,offices,schools..
Our country needs us more than anyone Fa yalla 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/LWPTbrtWIh
— Rayan (@rayant25) August 6, 2020
And the cleanup begins.
A morning stroll down Saint Michael steet, Beirut.
Homes and businesses in tatters.
We will rebuild !!!!#Beirut pic.twitter.com/UFdE81mirB— George Dodd 🇦🇺 (@georged13252287) August 6, 2020
#Beirutblasts : Lebanese volunteers band together to clean up and give aid
A spontaneous cleanup operation was underway after the huge blast at Beirut's port#Beruit #RebuildingBeruit #Lebanon #Lebanese pic.twitter.com/O3Q3csGshQ— Soundar C / சௌந்தர் செ (@soundarc2001) August 6, 2020
Thousands of volunteers from all over Lebanon have come to Beirut to help with the clean up. #lebanon pic.twitter.com/mFibUmbd8q
— Rebecca Collard (@rebeccacollard) August 5, 2020
Hundreds of young Lebanese ditched drinks for brooms to cleanup. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital.#respect #prayforlebanon pic.twitter.com/Zm4G1ofi4G
— headline.kwt® (@HeadlineKwt) August 6, 2020
45 youth volunteers from UNICEF supported programme with Al-Jana helping to clean up the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following the massive explosion in Beirut's port. UNICEF partner have mobilized young people in other affected areas.#BeirutExplosion#Beirut pic.twitter.com/JHKdUndce1
— uniceflebanon (@UNICEFLebanon) August 6, 2020
We don't accept defeat. We will clean and re-build our country. We "the people" will find ways to punish the responsibles for this disaster. #Lebanon#Beirut #PrayForLebanon #prayforbeirut #PrayersForBeirut #LebanonExplosion #لبنان #بيروت #بيروت_في_قلوبنا pic.twitter.com/7puXHgMcH7
— A. ELSADDIK (le.prof) (@aelsaddik) August 6, 2020
I am profoundly hurt, completely devastated & can't stop these tears from falling. But seeing volunteers banding together to clean & give aid says a lot about us: grief does not change people it reveals them #Beirut #BeirutExplosions #Lebanon #بيروت_عم_تبكي pic.twitter.com/ytlUvQFZ4P
— Roula Rached رلى راشد (@Roula_Rached77) August 7, 2020
Seeing images from friends in #Lebanon of people coming together to clean up their city inspires more hope than images of a foreign leader from the country that colonized it.
Show more of this from #Beirut pic.twitter.com/nIJfXYmSBF
— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) August 6, 2020
People in #Beirut are volunteering to clean debris from the streets after the explosion: "We don't have a state to take these steps."
Countless livelihoods, homes are destroyed.
Many see the blast as the last straw to government corruption: "We have gone backwards 100 years." pic.twitter.com/Gv5U767UTS
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 6, 2020
A Thousand Thank Yous to all the lovely people volunteering to help clean up the clinic today! You give everyone hope. #Beirut #Lebanon #Volunteers #thankyouBeirut pic.twitter.com/KHirg5gxAW
— JSeattle (@JmeSeattle) August 7, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families in these difficult times. We salute the spirit of the people who have shown determination and courage in the face of the most devastating tragedy.