Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced the deaths of two Canadians in the double explosion that ravaged the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on August 4, killing more than 171.
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“Today, I join Canadians across the country in mourning the loss of two Canadian citizens in the tragic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon,” the head of the Canadian government said in a statement.
“Our top priority is to ensure that Canadians and their families who have been affected by the explosion have the consular assistance they need to get through this difficult time,” he said.
In addition, Lebanese citizens who are temporarily in Canada have “the option of extending their stay if they cannot return home due to the explosion.”
On Monday, Mr. Trudeau announced that Canada’s aid to the Lebanese population would go from 5 to 30 M $ CA (19 million euros) in order to “meet the immediate needs of the population”.
Ottawa has also pledged to match individual donations to its Lebanon Relief Fund up to $ 5 million.
The gigantic explosion on August 4 at the port of Beirut also left more than 6,500 injured. It sparked anger in the streets against which the government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab had to tender its resignation.