Beirut explosion: the Armenian quarter is among the areas hit

A massive explosion at the port of Beirut on 4 August destroyed a large part of the Lebanese capital. According to preliminary figures, more than 130 people were killed and thousands injured. The cause is said to be about 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse.

Bourj Hammoud and other neighbourhoods with large Armenian populations were badly hit. Armenian schools, churches and community newspaper offices were damaged. Members of the community are among the dead.

The Armenian government decided to send rescuers and aircraft with humanitarian cargo, medicines and food, to Lebanon. The Ministry of Diaspora and the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund announced fundraising campaigns.

The Armenian community of Lebanon is one of the oldest and best organised in the diaspora. It has shrunk in recent years because of the economic crisis, but still plays a notable role in the life of the country.