MOSCOW, August 5 — The building of the Russian trade mission in Lebanon’s capital was damaged by a powerful explosion that hit the Beirut port, a Sputnik news agency’s correspondent reported on Tuesday.
In the residential apartments of the building, windows and balcony doors flew out due to the blast wave. The RIA Novosti representative office was also damaged.
According to preliminary data, there are no casualties among the residents of the trade mission, which is located a few kilometers from the epicenter of the explosion.
The powerful explosion hit the port earlier in the day leaving hundreds of people injured and at least six others killed.
Meanwhile, Sputnik reported from Washington that the United States is cooperating closely with the Lebanese government to determine whether US citizens have been affected by the massive explosion in Beirut earlier on Tuesday.
“We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any US citizens were affected,” a State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The US government is urging Americans in the affected areas to contact their families and communicate with local authorities if they need help, he spokesperson added.
Israel is not involved in the explosion that occurred at Beirut port in neighboring Lebanon earlier on Tuesday, the Knesset channel reported, citing a government source.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli Defense Forces told Sputnik that the military is not commenting on foreign media reports about an alleged missile attack on the Beirut port.
Besides, an Israeli security source told the Army Radio that the country had nothing to do with the explosion in Lebanon.
Sources: BERNAMA