Beirut's sea front before the blast (Hassan Ammar/AP)
A MASSIVE explosion has hit Lebanon’s capital Beirut earlier this afternoon.
A number of people have reportedly been wounded with widespread damage being caused.
The blast shook several parts of the capital and thick smoke billowed from the city centre.
#BREAKING - Injuries in #Beirut, #Lebanon are "in the thousands", per local media.
— SV News 🚨 (@SVNewsAlerts) August 4, 2020
Video shows the MASSIVE explosion in slow motion. pic.twitter.com/btwPiDmIlo
Some local TV stations reported that the blast was at Beirut’s port and claimed that firecrackers are stored in the area where the blast occured.
Residents reported windows being blown out and false ceilings dropping.
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