Beirut, destruction near the port. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross. Beirut, destruction near the port. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross.
Windsor

Windsor Islamic Association taking donations for Beirut explosion victims

The Windsor Islamic Association has started a fund to collect donations to help survivors of last week's massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

The association has added a link to its webpage where the public can donate.

The federal government has pledged to match those donations dollar-for-dollar until August 24.

"Muslim community of Windsor expresses full solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Lebanon and offer sincere condolences and sympathy with the families of the victims," said the association in a release to the media. "We pray for the speedy recovery to the injured."

According to the BBC, the blast on August 4 caused $3 billion in damage, but economic losses are estimated to be around $15 billion. So far, international donors have contributed $297 million in aid for the country.

The explosion is blamed on 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate kept in a warehouse at the port. It was seized six years ago.

The death toll has risen to 220, but Beirut's Governor told the BBC 110 people are still missing. Many of them are foreign workers.

Thousands were injured, and as many as 300,000 people are displaced by widespread damage across the city.

Meanwhile, residents have protested for two nights in a row demanding answers and accountability from their government. Three members of the cabinet have resigned.

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(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / dehooks)

Scoreboard, Aug 5

The Toronto Blue Jays lost 7-2 to the Houston Astros on Tuesday while the Detroit Tigers won their fourth straight, 8-0 over Seattle.