⁍ Lebanon’s president said on Friday its investigation into the biggest blast in Beirut’s history would examine whether it was caused by a bomb or other external interference.

---

⁍ Rescuers sifted rubble in a race to find anyone still alive after Tuesday’s port explosion that killed 154 people, injured 5,000, destroyed a swathe of the Mediterranean city and sent seismic shockwaves around the region.

---

– The death toll in Tuesday’s huge blast in Beirut has risen to 154, with more than 500 people injured and dozens still unaccounted for, the AP reports. The country’s president says the investigation into the blast will focus on whether it was caused by a bomb or other act, Reuters reports. “The cause has not been determined yet,” Michel Aoun told local media. “There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act.” Aoun had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port, and one source said an initial probe blamed negligence. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the cause was unclear, but compared the blast to a 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. He called for a fair investigation and strict accountability for anyone responsible without any political cover. “Even if a plane struck, or if it was an intentional act, if it turns out this nitrate had been at the port for years in this way, it means part of the case is absolutely negligence and corruption,” he said. Aoun, who had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port, said the investigation would also weigh if the blast was due to negligence or an accident. Twenty people have been detained so far.