At least 2 Filipinos among the 73 people already confirmed killed after a huge blast in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs on August 5, 2020, Wednesday morning.

According to the DFA, the 2 Filipino fatalities were inside their employers’ homes when the explosion happened on Tuesday. Also, at least 6 other Filipinos who were staying with their employers were injured, said the DFA.

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Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate (a key ingredient in both fertilizer and certain types of explosives, substance that has been used in terror attacks) had been stored at a warehouse in Beirut for six years, according to the statement released on the Republic of Lebanon Presidency Website.

Meanwhile, US Defense Department officials reported that as of Tuesday night there is no indication that the massive explosions at the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday was an attack, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement on Tuesday, as the President offered sympathy and assistance to the people of Lebanon after the explosions, referring to the incident as a “terrible attack,” during his press briefing at the White House.

Lebanon's General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim said earlier "highly explosive material" that had been confiscated years ago was being stored in the warehouse, which is just minutes' walk from popular shopping and nightlife districts. 

Prime Minister Diab said in the statement that it was "unacceptable" that so much explosive material was stored in a warehouse "without taking preventive measures while endangering the safety of citizens."

Diab gave his condolences and wished for the speedy recovery of the wounded. He called for the formation of an investigation committee to know the cause of the blast, which should release its results within a maximum of five days, said in the statement. 

"I will not rest until we find those responsible for what happened, hold them accountable, and impose maximum punishment," the Prime Minister said.

“Those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price,” he added.

According to the DFA, there are approximately 33,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, 75 percent of whom are in the Greater Beirut area.

The blast in Port of Beirut caused a huge shockwave, flipping cars and damaging nearby buildings. It even caused a 3.3 magnitude earthquake in the capital.