Explosion must be independently investigated: Amnesty

Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into Beirut's deadly blast that killed more than 100 people and wounded thousands.

Julie Verhaar, acting secretary-general of the UK-based rights group, said: "Whatever may have caused the explosion, including the possibility of a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely, Amnesty International is calling for an international mechanism to be promptly set up to investigate how this happened.

"Amnesty International also calls on the international community to urgently increase humanitarian aid to Lebanon at a time when the country was already struggling with the severe economic crisis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic."