Beirut explosion: Queen Elizabeth II offers condolences to Lebanon blast victims

At least 135 people have been killed and more than 4,000 injured in enormous chemical explosions in Lebanese capital

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II reads the Queen's Speech during the State Opening of Parliament. AFP

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II shared her deepest sympathies on Wednesday with the victims of two devastating explosions in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The death toll from the enormous blasts, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has risen to at least 135 and more than 100 people are still missing. Some 4,000 others have been injured by the explosions and 300,000 people are now homeless.

The British monarch said she was “deeply saddened” by the news.

“Prince Philip and I were deeply saddened by news of the explosion at the port in Beirut yesterday,” the Queen said via the official Royal Family Twitter page.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been injured or lost their lives, and all those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected.”

Nearly half of Beirut was damaged from the largest explosion, which Lebanon’s government has initially blamed on 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in an unsecured warehouse in the city port.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab has said he will determine within five days the exact cause of the explosions and “who was responsible”.

Countries around the world have voiced their support and pledged to send aid to help repair damage estimated at between $3 billion and $5bn (Dh11bn-Dh18.4bn).

The British government is in discussions about sending aid to Lebanon.