After the explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon on August 4, 135 people have been killed and 5,000 injured, and many others are still missing.
In addition to a 140-meter-deep crater at the site of the explosion, a 500-meter building was also razed to the ground, a cruise ship and three merchant ships in the port were also damaged by the explosion.
The cruise ship ORIENT QUEEN, which was moored near the Beirut explosion site, suffered the most damage. After the explosion, water began to enter the starboard side and eventually capsized and sank, but part of the ship was still above the waterline.
According to reports, two crew members on the ORIENT QUEEN were killed, and seven others were injured on board.
Another three ships were moored near the explosion site and suffered different degrees of damage, namely ordinary cargo ships MERO STAR, IMO 8321682, and dwt4110;
General cargo ship RAOUF H, IMO 8325535, dwt 6343;
Livestock carrier JOURI, IMO9174775, GT4033.
The AIS of all these ships were closed after the explosion.
Many international shipping companies have offices near the port of Beirut.
The headquarters of CMA CGM in Lebanon is located a few hundred meters from the explosion site. There are 261 employees. Two of them were seriously injured in the explosion, many were slightly injured, and a staff member working in the port was missing. CMA CGM said: “We are working with local authorities to do our best to find him.”
The GAC has an office near the port. He said: “The GAC Lebanon office building at the entrance of the port has been severely damaged, but the staff can still receive emails.”
An agent of Hapag-Lloyd stated that his office had been completely destroyed. Shortly before the explosion, all staff had been evacuated from the office and reported that they were in good condition.
It is not yet clear about other damage to the loading container at the port.
