Huge explosion in Lebanon's capital Beirut; Hundreds of people wounded

A massive explosion shook Leban's capital Beirut on Tuesday wounding a number of people and causing widespre dam. Several parts of capital were shaken by blast and thick smoke billowed from city centre. Residents reported windows being blown out and false ceilings dropping.

explosion appeared to be centred around Beirut's port and caused wide-scale destruction and shattered windows miles away.

Though cause of blast is unkwn, initial reports have stated that explosion occurred in Beirut's port area containing warehouses. However, local TV channels reported blast was at Beirut's port inside an area where firecrackers were stored.

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Leban’s Health Minister Ham Hasan said that  “very high number of injuries” and extensive dam was witnessed. Hundreds of people have been in  huge blast that ripped through Leban's capital.

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It also comes amid rising tensions between Israel and militant Hezbollah group along Leban’s sourn border.

Online video showed a column of smoke rising from port area from what appeared to be an initial explosion, followed by a massive blast that sent up a mushroom cloud and a shock wave racing over city.

(Im credit: AP)