Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and More Stars Send Messages of Support After Beirut Explosion
George Clooney and Amal Clooney are sending support to Beirut.
Two days after a massive explosion occurred in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, Aug. 4, a rep for the A-list couple tells E! News in a statement that they have pledged $100,000 to a number of Lebanese charities. Amal was born in Beirut and raised in the U.K.
"We're both deeply concerned for the people of Beirut and the devastation they've faced in the last few days," George and Amal shared. "Three charitable organizations we've found are providing essential relief on the ground: the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak. We will be donating $100,000 to these charities and hope that others will help in any way they can."
Local news organization LBCI reported that at least 5,000 people were injured in the blast and that at least 135 were killed. Dozens were also deemed missing.
At this time, the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear. However, President Michel Aoun said an investigation into the blast would reveal the circumstances of what happened as soon as possible and that the results would be publicly shared. According to CNN, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored in a port warehouse for six years "without preventative measures."
After the news broke, several celebrities shared messages on social media. Janet Jackson posted a message that read "Beirut in our hearts" and captioned it, "My prayers to everyone in Beirut, Lebanon." Kim Kardashian also tweeted, "Pray for Beirut."
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"My heart, strength and condolences are with Lebanon and everyone affected by this tragedy," Ariana Grande also tweeted with donation links. "Please support / donate if you're able to, I will be doing so too."
Read more messages of support from stars below.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForBeirut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayForBeirut</a> <a href="https://t.co/6YdJEHeXp4">pic.twitter.com/6YdJEHeXp4</a></p>— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) <a href="https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/1291027270820405252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Adriana Lima: "My heart bleeds with all that has been going on in the world right now, I wish I could have the power to unite and protect every single human being. When does it stop? How far it will go? I will prey [sic] every day for peace, safety, health.... I just know that the whole world has been true so much this year... enough .... My heart goes to all the families....."
Jamie Lee Curtis: The actress re-shared a Washington Post post that featured a picture Pulitzer prize-winning photographer Lorenzo Tugnoli had shared after the explosions.
Hillary Clinton: "My heart goes out to Beirut and the Lebanese people as they grieve and heal after yesterday's devastating explosion. In the aftermath, strangers helped strangers bind wounds, find families, and calm children. I'm wishing you peace and community in the days ahead."
DJ Khaled: The artist shared an Instagram post that read, "Pray for Beirut-Lebanon."
Joe Giudice: "My prayers for Beirut, LEBANON. My Thoughts And Prayers Are With all People And Families In Lebanon..May Allah Bring Ease To All Those Who Are Suffering... #prayforbeirut."
Salma Hayek: "Today two explosions devastated the capital of the already hurting Lebanon. My broken heart goes out to all the people who have lost loved ones and who are in the affected areas of my beloved Beirut."
Naomi Campbell: "My thoughts, prayers and love go out to the people of Lebanon and their families #Beirut #LinkInBio (my memories of downtown of how I will remember it)."
Larsa Pippen: "I'm praying for Lebanon. My mom is from Beirut this just breaks my heart. My family is so devastated #lebanon."
(This story was originally published on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 10:22 a.m. PST)