A massive explosion ripped through Beirut in Lebanon on Tuesday, with videos showing smoke rising from a fire and a mushroom cloud decimating the city’s port. The incident, which is said to have been caused by highly explosive materials that were stored in a warehouse for the past six years, has sent shock waves across the international community. With dozens dead and more than 4,000 injured, the explosion is one of the many harrowing incidents that have struck Lebanon in recent history.

تعازينا لأهلنا في لبنان الحبيبة .. اللهم ارحم من انتقلوا إليك .. اللهم الطف بأهلها ..
اللهم ألهم شعب لبنان الصبر والسلوان .. pic.twitter.com/ZXVqUIXMUk

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 4, 2020

In an expression of solidarity with the country, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, shared a heartfelt note on his official social media accounts.

“Our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon,” he tweeted to his 10.3 million followers on Twitter in Arabic with a picture of the Lebanese flag, praying to God to offer patience and solace to them. The message was shared by members of the UAE royal family, including Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Her Excellency Sheikha Fatima Rashed Al Maktoum.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDet3a9H1f9/

Last evening, Burj Khalifa lit up with the Lebanese flag as a show of oneness with the plight of the Lebanese people. The explosion comes at a sensitive time for the country, with burgeoning economic and sociopolitical strife and an ongoing health crisis, as COVID-19 spreads even despite lockdown. We extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the people of Lebanon.

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Image credit: @HHShkMohd