BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on the explosion in Beirut (all times local):
4 p.m.
Denmark is donating 12 million kroner ($1.9 million) to Lebanon, chiefly to be channeled via the Red Cross, and 600 chemical protection suits.
Development Minister Rasmus Prehn said Tuesday's explosions in Beirut come “at the worst possible time” for Lebanon. "The country’s economy and health care are already completely on their knees,” he said.
“And COVID-19 just makes the situation worse. At the same time, the country is home to 1.5 million refugees who also need support.”
So far this year, Denmark has provided 32 million kroner ($5.1 million) in humanitarian aid to Lebanon, mainly to help refugees in the Middle Eastern country.
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3:50 p.m.
Italy has sent 8.5 tons of medical equipment to Lebanon in a second aid flight following the massive explosion in Beirut.
The foreign ministry says the flight left from Brindisi on Thursday morning following a request from Lebanese authorities. On board were surgical and trauma kits. Earlier, a team of firefighters and experts in chemical and biological agents flew in to help.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said the Italian assistance “represents a new show of friendship and solidarity toward the Lebanese people and authorities.”
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3:30 p.m.
Two Jordanian Air Force military aircraft are flying to Lebanon carrying material for a field hospital that's expected to be set up within the next 24 hours in Beirut.
The military field hospital will be staffed by 160 medics and other staff and will include 45 beds, 10 intensive care beds and 2 surgery rooms.
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3 p.m.
Switzerland has sent a team of specialists including engineers and logistics experts to Lebanon to help with the aftermath of the explosion in Beirut.
The Alpine nation says it is responding to a request from Lebanese authorities.
The Swiss team, which also includes telecom engineers and a psychologist, will assist in securing the country’s damaged embassy and ambassadorial residence. Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry says the experts also will be available to examine the condition of Lebanon's public buildings such as schools and hospitals.
The Foreign Ministry says it has no indication that Swiss citizens were among the victims of Tuesday’s explosion.
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1:20 p.m.
China says it is sending a medical team and supplies to Lebanon in the aftermath of the port explosion that injured more than 5,000 people.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Thursday that Chinese leader Xi Jinping had conveyed a message of condolence to Lebanese President Michel Aoun following the blast, which killed at least 135 people.
“As a friendly country to Lebanon, China is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Lebanon to tide over the difficulties,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing.
China has long been a major customer for Middle Eastern oil and gas, and in recent years has sought to boost its influence in the area as an alternative to the U.S. and Europe. For many years, China has also contributed soldiers to the United Nations peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon.
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1 p.m.
Germany’s foreign minister says an employee of the German Embassy in Beirut was killed in the huge blast that devastated the Lebanese capital earlier this week.
Heiko Maas says in a statement that the woman died as a result of “the consequences of the explosion in her apartment.” He has offered his condolences to embassy staff.
The embassy building was damaged in the blast.
Tuesday's explosion appeared to have been caused by an accidental fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate at Beirut's port. It killed at least 135 people, injured more than 5,000 and caused widespread destruction.
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12:05 p.m.
Britain is sending a Royal Navy ship to Beirut to help the city recover from Tuesday's devastating port explosion.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace says the survey vessel HMS Enterprise, currently in Cyprus, will assess damage and help Lebanese authorities prepare to rebuild the port.
Britain has pledged a 5 million pound ($6.6 million) humanitarian support package for Lebanon and says it will send search and rescue teams and expert medical support.
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11 a.m.
A French presidential official says French President Emmanuel Macron is arriving in Beirut following Tuesday's deadly port explosion and will be greeted by Lebanese President Michel Aoun. The official says Macron will go directly to the port and meet Lebanese and French teams in the disaster area.
The official spoke anonymously in accordance with the presidency’s practices.
Later in the day, Macron will head to the presidential palace for meetings with top officials. He will also meet with members of different political factions and civil society.
The French official says Macron’s trip is meant to show that Lebanon is not alone and to give the Lebanese people confidence. Macron has said his role is to show that he believes in the country.