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Australian killed in Beirut blast named as two-year-old Isaac Oehlers

The West Australian
Isaac Oehlers, 2, was killed in the Beirut explosion that killed 154 people.
Camera IconIsaac Oehlers, 2, was killed in the Beirut explosion that killed 154 people. Credit: Supplied

A toddler has been revealed as the Australian killed in the Beirut blast.

Two-year-old Isaac Oehlers was among at least 154 people who lost their lives in a “nuclear-scale” explosion this week.

The blast in the Lebanese capital city, which sent an atomic bomb-like mushroom cloud into the sky, injured more than 5000. Entire city blocks were flattened.

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Isaac’s family said their boy would be “deeply missed”. “We are heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of our beautiful boy following the disaster in Beirut,” a statement read.

“The family would like to thank everyone who has offered comfort and support to us. (We) would like to express our condolences to everyone in Lebanon who is suffering from this devastating tragedy.”

A photo of the blast that killed 154 people in Beirut, Lebanon.
Camera IconA photo of the blast that killed 154 people in Beirut, Lebanon. Credit: Unknown/Twitter

The Lebanese Government has been heavily criticised by its citizens for allowing 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate to be stored at a port warehouse for six years, despite numerous warnings.

President Michel Aoun said a probe would investigate possible “external interference” in addition to simple negligence or an accident.

The explosion, apparently set off by a fire, was the biggest in Lebanon’s history and caused an estimated $10-15 billion worth of damage, according to Beirut’s governor.

It has also left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

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