Egypt says flights continue between Cairo, Beirut after deadly blast

CAIRO – 5 August 2020: The Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday affirmed normal operation of flights between the Cairo International Airport and Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, as a deadly blast that occurred in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday has officially killed 135 people.

Huge fire was seen on Tuesday just before a deadly explosion took place at the same spot in Beirut, horrifying citizens and destroying houses. The horrible explosion, which has been easily recorded by many citizens, was caused by a fire in a warehouse that housed an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, according to Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab.

The death toll following the explosion rose to 135, Health Minister Hamad Hasan said, adding that 80 others are still missing.

In a statement, Egyptian Aviation Minister Mohamed Manar said flights between Egypt and Lebanon are regular and run as scheduled.

Manar affirmed “the Egyptian civil aviation sector’s solidarity with the brotherly government and people in Lebanon,” and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

Egypt will open an air bridge to send urgent medical aid to Lebanon, the Egyptian ambassador said on Wednesday, a day after a blast in the capital, Beirut, has reportedly killed at least 100 people and injured at least 4,000 others.

The newly-opened air bridge will carry the required medicine and medical supplies, a statement by the Egyptian Embassy in Lebanon said, quoting Ambassador Yusuf Allawi said.

Egypt will also send medical teams to participate in relief efforts, along with the efforts made by the Egyptian field hospital that is located in the Lebanese capital, the statement added.

This aid is sent by the Egyptian people, represented in the Egyptian government, the country’s top religious authority Al Azhar and a number of Egyptian civil society organizations, to their Lebanese brothers, the statement read.

“This is considered to be a precise reflection of the extent of official and popular Egyptian solidarity with the Lebanese brothers in their affliction, and an implementation of the Egyptian leadership’s decision to stand by the brotherly people of Lebanon, until they overcome this sorrowful disaster,” the statement added.

The Egyptian Embassy’s announcement to open an air bridge between Cairo and Beirut comes shortly after President Abdel Fattah El Sisi ordered urgently sending two planes carrying medical aid to Lebanon.

On Tuesday, Sisi expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the Lebanon people over the huge blast that rocked Beirut’s port.

“My sincere condolences and sympathy to our brothers in Lebanon over the tragic explosion that took place today in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. We pray to God to speedily recover the wounded and inspire the families of the victims patience and solace.”  Sisi wrote on Twitter.

On Wednesday, Sisi offered his condolences to Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun over the death of dozens in the explosion.

During a phone call, Sisi assured Aoun that Egypt stands by the side of Lebanon and is willing to offer any help for Beirut, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said.