Powerful explosion rocks Lebanon’s capital
Blast goes off in Beirut during Ramadan fast-breaking meal, damaging cars and a bank; no reports of casualties
Lebanese security forces cordon off an area covered in debris following an explosion near a major bank in the western part of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, June 12, 2016. (AFP/Anwar Amro)
A powerful explosion occurred near a major bank in the western part of the Lebanese capital Beirut late on Sunday, a policeman on the scene told AFP.
The explosion in the upscale Verdun district on Sunday destroyed several cars and caused severe damage to LOM BANK, one of Lebanon’s biggest financial institutions.
The sound of ambulance sirens was heard in the area near Hamra Street, but police said they had no immediate information.
The nature of the blast was not immediately clear and there was no immediate word on casualties. The explosion occurred as residents sat down for iftar, the meal that breaks the daylong fast for observing Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
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