As it happened: Lebanese capital Beirut rocked by massive explosion
4 August 2020, 19:26
Lebanon's capital Beirut has been rocked by a massive explosion that has reportedly killed at least 78 people and injured nearly 4,000.
Footage emerged on social media on Tuesday afternoon showing an area of the city near the port on fire after reports of an explosion.
Dramatic videos captured by residents and workers in the city and posted online then showed a huge explosion that sent shockwaves at least 10 kilometres across the city, with some people in Cyprus reporting they felt the blast.
Read more: 'At least 78 dead' following huge Beirut explosions
Read more: Beirut explosion eyewitnesses tell of 'complete devastation'
The source of the explosion is currently unclear, however there are reports that stores of ammonium nitrate and fireworks - that appear to be exploding in some of the videos posted online - may have caused it.
Hospitals in the city, already under stress because of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, have been turning away some patients due to being overwhelmed.
See how the tragedy unfolded below...
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