Finnish Embassy damaged in Beirut explosion — almost all travellers who have made a travel notification been reached

On Tuesday evening Finnish time, a massive explosion occurred at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Based on currently available information, more than a hundred people have died and thousands have been injured.

Updated 6.8.

The chancery of the Finnish Embassy and the Ambassador's residence, which are located approximately two kilometres from the site of the explosion, were damaged in the blast. The embassy personnel have been reached and everyone is in good health. The premises will be closed until further notice, and the embassy personnel will continue to work temporarily elsewhere. 

Altogether 40 people had registered their travel details in the travel notification service at matkustusilmoitus.fi(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window), indicating Lebanon as their travel destination. The Ministry has reached those who had submitted their travel arrangements in the service and who were believed to be in Lebanon at the time of the explosion. Based on currently available information, one Finnish citizen has become injured in the explosion. It is possible that there are Finnish citizens in the city who have not notified their travel arrangements at matkustusilmoitus.fi. 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs urges everyone to exercise special caution in Beirut and to avoid movement in the vicinity of the explosion site. 

If you are okay, please contact your loved ones and let them know you are safe. In an emergency, contact your own insurance provider or the Foreign Ministry’s 24/7 Service Centre by phone to +358 9 1605 5555 or via email paivystys@um.fi

Other Finnish travellers staying in Lebanon are advised to submit a travel notification(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)