Czech rescue work in Beirut interrupted due to security situation

The work of the Czech search and rescue team in Beirut has been interrupted due to security situation in the area, the spokesman for the team, Martin Kavka, told the Czech News Agency on Saturday.

The Lebanese Army has called on all rescue workers to return to their bases and wait for further orders. According to the Czech embassy in Lebanon, the situation could be related to a planned mass demonstration due to take place later in the afternoon.

Czech rescuers have been helping to search for survivors of the devastating blast in the harbour area of Beirut since the early hours of Thursday.