Italy has airlifted 8.5 tonnes medical aid to Beirut after the biggest ever-explosion in Lebanon's capital killed over 150 people, injured 5,000 and left some 300,000 homeless, adding to the bankrupt country's woes.
"A flight to Beirut left from UNHRD's base in Brindisi with 8.5 tonnes of medical equipment sent by the foreign ministry's overseas aid department to help Lebanon, which has been gravely hit by the explosions in Beirut," the foreign ministry tweeted late Thursday.
The Italian government's civil protection department and the defence ministry arranged the flight from the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot, according to the tweet.
Lebanon’s president Michel Aoun said on Friday an investigation into Tuesday's explosion at Beirut's port would examine whether it was caused by a bomb or other external interference.
In comments reported by local media and confirmed by his office, Aoun said the probe would also consider whether the explosion was due to negligence or an accident.
Aoun previously said highly explosive material had been stored in unsafe conditions for years at Beirut's port.
A total 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate was warehoused at the port.
Aoun has rejected calls for an international investigation into the explosion.
