Lebanon blasts: UAE satellite space images show devastation in Beirut

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lebanon, beirut blasts, uae space images

Dubai - The pictures show nearby buildings have been destroyed with shipping containers strewn across the area.

By Staff Report

Published: Thu 6 Aug 2020, 6:50 PM

Last updated: Fri 7 Aug 2020, 8:35 AM

Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre released before and after pictures of the Beirut port - from space - on Thursday captured by Khalifa Sat, highlighting the extent of the devastation caused by the explosion earlier this week.
UAE's Khalifa Sat captured the pictures showing the difference between what the blast area looked before and after the incident.
The blast that took place on August 4 caused widespread damage, killing at least 135 and injuring thousands of people, while damaging buildings across the city.
The pictures show nearby buildings have been destroyed. Many shipping containers are scattered about, their contents strewn over the ground.
UAE leaders offered their condolences on the tragic incident and dispatched urged humanitarian assistance, including medical aid on Wednesday.
Shortly after the incident, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash had tweeted that "Our hearts are with Beirut and its people."
"We pray in these hours that God protects brotherly Lebanon and the Lebanese, and that he eases their pain, heals their wounds, and keep the sadness away from them," said his tweet that included a photo of the Burj Khalifa displaying the Lebanese flag.

Beirut Port: Before and After
These 2 pictures were taken by Khalifa Sat before and after the blast that took place in Beirut on August 4, resulting in severe damage.
We hope that our brothers and sisters in Lebanon overcome these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/xxHxXF5vJC
- MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) August 6, 2020

Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the explosion was under investigation and vowed to find whoever was responsible for the tragedy.
Many countries around the world have offered aid to Lebanon, including UAE dispatching urgent aid for the affectees.
The country is dealing with this devastation amidst an accute economic crisis.
Khalifa Sat is a remote sensing Earth observation satellite that was designed and built at the Space Technology Laboratories of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. It is considered the first entirely Emirati-made satellite. It was launched into orbit on October 30, 2018 from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center using the Korean Satrec SI-300 bus.