Beirut explosion: Royal Navy sailors sent to wrecked port describe scene of city-wide devastation

HMS Enterprise was deployed following last week’s catastrophe, which levelled huge parts of the city, killing more than 200 people and injuring thousands more.

The naval vessel, which carries state-of-the-art hydrographic surveying kit, has been sent to assess the damage to the port.

In a post on the ship’s official Twitter account, a spokesman said: ‘Words cannot describe the devastation here in Beirut. We’re exceptionally humbled and honoured to be able to deliver help during these difficult times.’

Specialists on Enterprise have joined forces with Lebanese military officials as they assess the scale of the damage.

A fire at the port ignited 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate – a chemical compound commonly use in fertiliser – caused a huge explosion.

The blast destroyed the port, leaving a gaping crater in it, and levelled buildings across the city, leaving about 300,000 people homeless.

Enterprise was scrambled by the UK government as part of a £5m package to supported the ruined Lebanese capital.

The ship’s company have since been praised for their rapid work getting to the blast site.

Speaking on Twitter, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd, the navy’s fleet commander, said: ‘Well done HMS Enterprise, one of our survey vessels, for responding so professionally supporting Lebanese authorities in Beirut.

‘Another example of the flexibility and utility of Royal Navy ships deployed around the world.’

The British warship’s arrival came amid riots and protests in the city following the blast.

In a shock move last night, the whole Lebanese government resigned over the catastrophe following claims of incompetence.

The country’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, claimed the disaster was the result of endemic corruption.

‘I said that corruption is rooted in every part of the state,” the prime minister said. ‘But I found out that corruption is greater than the state.

‘A political class is using all their dirty tricks to prevent real change. The more we tried to get to them, the bigger the walls became.

‘This disaster is the result of chronic corruption.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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