Italian firefighters arrive in Beirut

A team of 14 Italian firefighters arrived in Beirut just before dawn on Thursday aboard a transport plane.

The teams, which include experts in chemical risk and building stability, departed from Pisa late Wednesday night.

It's headed by Stefania Fiore and belong to a unit which is specialized in nuclear, biological chemical and radioactive threats.

They will be working under the direction of the local authorities to determine environmental and structural risks in the area around the explosion.

On Tuesday, a powerful explosion ripped through the port area of Beirut killing at least 135 people, injuring more than 5,000 and causing widespread destruction.

(Representative Image)