Paying tribute to the victims of the Beirut explosion, the Sydney Opera House was lit up overnight with the Lebanese Cedar. The Australian Prime Minister has so far pledged $5 million in aid to the country. Australia also lit up the Sydney Town Hall and Melbourne Town Hall with the green and red colours of the Lebanese flag.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this devastating event,” tweeted the official handle of Sydney Opera House.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, people observed a one-minute silence at the exact time approximately 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which was stored at the Beirut port exploded. Church bells rang out as crowds carried portraits of the dead through the streets to the port, a week after the incident, reported Sky news.

Two Australian’s were among those killed in the blast including a 2-year-old boy.

A massive explosion in Beirut killed more than 170 people and injured over 6000. After days of violent protests, Lebanon’s government had stepped down.