Beirut blast: rescuers investigate ‘heartbeat in rubble’

Rescue teams in Beirut are searching the rubble of a building amid reports that a person may be alive, nearly a month after a powerful explosion devastated the Lebanese capital.

Specialized sensor equipment has been brought into the Mar Mikhael area following unconfirmed reports that a heartbeat was detected.

More than 200 people were killed when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in a port warehouse on August 4.

Some 300,000 people were left homeless.

There has been outrage that so much dangerous material was stored unsafe in the port.

The resignation of the Lebanese government shortly after failed to pacify the protesters, who clashed with the police in the city for several nights.

In another development, four containers with 4.3 tons of ammonium nitrate were found Thursday outside the port of Beirut, the army said.

He said his specialists examined the containers, but did not elaborate.

A crowd has gathered in the collapsed building where a Chilean rescue team works. It is still unknown if a person is alive under the rubble.

Rescuers were passing through the building Wednesday night when his dog gave a signal that a person was alive inside.

Upon returning this morning the dog went to the same place and gave the same signal. The group then used a scanner to look for a heartbeat or breath from within, and came with equipment to dig through the rubble.

Red Cross staff set up a tent with lights and supplies. The military, firefighters and volunteer rescuers are on the scene and said it would take at least six hours to reach a possible survivor.

One of those waiting for news is a young man holding a Lebanese flag. He told the BBC that when he heard the news, he couldn’t stay home.

Chilean rescuers arrived in Lebanon on September 1. According to a local source, they have highly sensitive equipment that can detect respiration at a depth of 15 m (49 ft).

So far there is no confirmation that anyone is alive under the rubble, but some of those gathered here dare to be hopeful, says our correspondent.

Mar Mikhael was one of the areas most affected by the shock wave.

It is a historic neighborhood that overlooks the port. It was famous for its nightlife before the disaster.