BEIRUT, LEBANON: Satellite Images Show Explosion Damage
- European Space Imaging
- 5 August, 2020
At least 100 people have died and 4,000 people have been wounded in a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday 4th August 2020.
Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite images captured only hours ago with WorldView-2 by European Space Imaging highlight the scope of the damage to the surrounding blast site. Almost 20 buildings have been completely destroyed, whilst hundreds of other surrounding buildings have been significantly damaged. A cruise ship has been overturned and four tankers have been damaged. According to AIS data, this cruise ship is the “Orient Queen” sailing under the flag of Bahamas, and originating from port King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia.
It has been reported in the media that the explosion at Beirut’s port resulted in the damage of 90% of the hotels in the Lebanese capital and that the blasts could be felt up to 200 km away in Cyprus.
“When disaster strikes, VHR satellite imagery can provide critical information for emergency relief operations to evaluate the extent of damage and get an entire overview of the scene,” said Adrian Zevenbergen, Managing Director, European Space Imaging. “It supplies crisis management teams with logistical insights for planning and helps to monitor and detect any changes that may be critical to minimising or even eliminating further catastrophe.”
The cause of the explosion is still unknown, however it has been reported that the blasts occurred in a section of the port that stores previously confiscated highly explosive substances. With the country already suffering a crippling economic crisis as a result of battling COVID-19, this explosion plummets the city into further catastrophe with the country’s leader, Hassan Diab, appealing for international assistance.
European Space Imaging will continue to monitor this situation and make images available as soon as possible.
Before and After of the damaged area. Captured by WorldView-2 © European Space imaging
Before and After of the damaged area. Captured by WorldView-2 © European Space imaging
Before and After of the damaged area. Captured by WorldView-2 © European Space imaging
The “Orient Queen” cruise ship seen overturned after the explosion. Captured by WorldView-2 © European Space imaging
Related Stories
Synchronised Collections of SAR and VHR Optical Satellite Imagery Revolutionise Flood Management
As climate change accelerates, the frequency and severity of flooding events are becoming increasingly alarming. In response, innovative tools like DoubleShot, developed by European Space Imaging in partnership with Umbra, are transforming flood management strategies. By combining the power of Very High Resolution (VHR) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical satellite imagery, DoubleShot delivers a comprehensive, weather-independent solution for near real-time flood mapping and monitoring.
The Successful Launch of Maxar’s WorldView Legion and the Impact on European EO Applications
The first four long awaited WorldView Legion Satellites are now orbiting Earth. What does this mean for space-based remote sensing projects around Europe? In this webinar, EUSI is joined by representatives from Maxar Technologies. We discuss the unique technology within these satellites and how this significant increase in capacity of 8-band multispectral 30 cm class imagery is already poised to impact ongoing projects and increased demand across all sectors including Large Area Mapping, Security, Emergency Response, Agriculture and Research/Education.
MGP Pro Demonstration
Instant access to VHR satellite imagery via web or API. European Space Imaging recently recorded a webinar in which they demonstrated all the functionality of
EUSI Will Soon Offer Intraday Monitoring Across Europe After Maxar’s Second Successful Launch of WorldView Legion Satellites
With the successful launch of Maxar Intelligence’s second set of WorldView Legion satellites, European Space Imaging (EUSI) will soon offer up to eight daily collection opportunities in key latitudes across Europe and North Africa – a number that will increase after the final WorldView Legion satellites are launched and all six satellites are operational.
