People at the scene are hoping for a miraculous story of survival
BEIRUT, Sept 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Rescuers in Beirut are continuing to search through the rubble of a building amid reports a person could be alive, one month after a massive blast devastated the Lebanese capital.
Specialist sensor equipment was to sent the Mar Mikhael area after unconfirmed reports that a heartbeat was detected.
The search was initially suspended overnight, but volunteers continued to work by hand, reports say.
More than 200 people died when 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate detonated.
Some 300,000 people were left homeless by the blast on Aug 4.
There has been outrage that so much hazardous material was stored unsafely in a warehouse in the city’s port, which lies close to many residential areas.
The Lebanese government’s resignation shortly afterwards failed to pacify protesters, who clashed with police in the city for several nights.
A crowd gathered at the building on Thursday as the rescue team from Chile began to work. It is still unknown if a person is alive under the rubble.
The rescuers were passing the building on Wednesday night when their dog gave a sign there was a person alive inside.
Red Cross staff have set up a tent with floodlights and supplies. Army, fire service and volunteer rescuers are also on the scene.
Mar Mikhael was one of the areas worst hit by the blast wave.
It is a historic neighbourhood that faces the port. It was famous for its night life before the disaster. — NNN-AGENCIES
