At least 100 dead, more than 4,000 injured in Beirut explosion: Lebanese Red Cross | Fox News

At least 100 dead, more than 4,000 injured in Beirut explosion: Lebanese Red Cross | Fox News

Lebanon's leader appeals for help after devastating blast kills scores, wounds thousands
In a short televised speech Wednesday morning, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab appealed to the world for help, one day after a devastating explosion at Beirut’s port killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 -- with both numbers expected to rise.

"We are witnessing a real catastrophe," Diab said, reiterating his pledge that those responsible will be punished -- although the cause remained unclear, according to the Associated Press.

George Kettaneh, secretary general of the Lebanese Red Cross, said the numbers may rise. Officials have said the city’s hospitals are overflowing with patients.

The explosion sent a huge mushroom cloud into the sky and flattened much of the port. Beirut newspaper al-Akhbar dubbed the explosion “The Great Collapse," and it was believed to be the largest blast the Middle Eastern capital has ever endured.

Meanwhile, President Trump said U.S. military generals told him it was likely a bomb. "I've met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that this was not some kind of manufacturing explosion type of an event," Trump said. "They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind."

But some officials in Washington quickly dubbed the president's remarks premature. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Other related developments:
- Keane urges caution on Trump suggestion bomb caused Beirut explosion: 'Don't have enough facts'
- Trump description of Beirut blast as 'attack' was premature, some US officials say