Beirut explosion: 'There are many people lost beneath the rubble - families are anxious'
ITV News Correspondent Emma Murphy describes the scenes in Beirut two days after the blast
Family and friends of those lost beneath the rubble in Beirut are becoming increasingly anxious about finding their loved ones, ITV News Correspondent Emma Murphy reports.
Speaking from the port, the epicentre of the explosion which has killed at least 135 and injured 5,000 people, Murphy described the chaotic scenes as the recovery mission gathers pace.
"All around you can hear the sound of rubble and broken glass being gathered up," she said.
Cleanup mission continues in Beirut
"But increasingly we are hearing angry voices, people who have come here, waiting for information about family and friends, wanting to know what's happened to them.
"There are many people who are lost beneath the rubble in there and their families are increasingly anxious to get some information."
She added: "We've seen a steady stream of ambulances in and out through the course of the day, as well as search and rescue teams and also the international operation is in full swing."
Lebanese sweep the streets of Beirut after deadly blast
Russian aid was among the first to arrive in the Lebanese capital, but the UK, France, the US and many others have all offered help and assistance.
"Whether it will be enough to help the Lebanese with this crisis is another matter", Murphy said.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut Thursday to meet Lebanese President Michael Aoun. The visit reflected both the gravity of the disaster and France's special relationship with its former protectorate.
He was surrounded by Beirut residents, who were chanting "the people demand the downfall of the regime".
President Macron said: "I come here promptly to show support, solidarity and friendship to the Lebanese people.
"After this explosion of August 4th that shook all of Beirut and its population, this support and solidarity is evident, because it is Lebanon, because it is France, and I had to be here to bring this friendship and brotherhood to the Lebanese people."
He also tweeted on Thursday morning "Lebanon is not alone" in both Arabic and French.
Paris wasted no time in dispatching two planeloads of specialists, rescue workers and supplies to Beirut on Wednesday.
Losses from the blast are estimated to be between 10 billion to 15 billion US dollars, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told the Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath on Wednesday, adding that nearly 300,000 people are homeless.
"Beyond the explosion we know that the crisis here is deep and it requires a historical responsibility of the political class," President Macron said, adding that he would like to organise "the European and international cooperation".
"It is a political, moral, economic and financial crisis whose first victims are the Lebanese people."
Lebanon was already mired in a severe economic crisis and faces a daunting challenge in rebuilding it It's unclear how much support the international community will offer the notoriously corrupt and dysfunctional government.