BEIRUT, October 19, 2012 (AFP)
BEIRUT, October 19, 2012 (AFP)
A car bomb attack left dead and wounded in mainly Christian east Beirut on Friday, in the first such attack in the Lebanese capital since 2008, the National News Agency reported.
An AFP photographer saw two apartment buildings devastated by the bombing in a narrow street near Sassin Square. One building was still ablaze as Red Cross workers evacuated bloodied casualties.
Balconies were torn off by the force of the blast, windows shattered and cars crushed by falling masonry.
“We heard a powerful explosion. The earth shook under our feet,” said Roland, 19, among a large crowd of army, rescue workers and onlookers at the scene.
Interior Minister Marwan Sharbel was at the scene of the first car bombing in Beirut since January 25, 2008 when Lebanon’s top anti-terrorism investigator was slain along with three other people.
