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Death of toddler Isaac Oehlers in Beirut ‘so terribly sad’: Scott Morrison

Phil HickeyThe West Australian
Isaac Oehlers died in the ‘nuclear scale’ blast in Beirut, along with at least 154 others.
Camera IconIsaac Oehlers died in the ‘nuclear scale’ blast in Beirut, along with at least 154 others. Credit: Facebook

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described the death of an Australian toddler killed in the Beirut blast as “just so terribly sad” and that he is praying for the family.

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.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday morning, the Prime Minister said “Australians will be joining the Oehlers family in the heartbreak of the terrible loss.”

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“It is just so terribly sad,” he said.

“Australia has a vibrant Lebanese Australian community, who is grieving with the Oehlers family and for all their family and friends who have been devastated by this tragedy.

“Jenny and I join you in that grief and pray for your comfort and strength.”

"Nuclear-like" blasts rocked Beirut.
Camera Icon"Nuclear-like" blasts rocked Beirut. Credit: methode/Sky News

In a statement issued on Saturday 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,” the 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.”

Entire city blocks were flattened.
Camera IconEntire city blocks were flattened. Credit: Twitter / @AuroraIntel

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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