ISIS Claims Responsibility for Suicide Bombings in Beirut That Killed at Least 41
Two suicide bombers killed at least 41 people and injured 200 more Thursday evening in Beirut neighborhood considered a Hezbollah-stronghold, according to the Lebanese health minister.
Reuters reports that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the blasts, though there’s been no official confirmation yet.
The bombings reportedly struck a Shi’ite community center and a bakery about 500 feet away; both blasts occurred within five minutes, according to Lebanese state-run National News Agency.
Authorities have closed entrances to the neighborhood, Bourj al-Barajneh, and cautioned civilians to stay away from the blast sites.
Richard Hall, a journalist for the Global Post, is tweeting updates from the scene:
At site of second explosion. People had gathered 500 metres away after the first blast. Witnesses say hundreds of people were on street.
— Richard Hall (@_RichardHall) November 12, 2015
Resident says his friend tried to apprehend the second bomber, wrapping his arms around him, but was killed went bomb was detonated.
— Richard Hall (@_RichardHall) November 12, 2015
