Site of massive explosion in Beirut, wreckage, fires

Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above capital. Witnesses saw many people injured by flying glass and debris.

An Associated Press photographer near port saw people lying injured on ground, and hospitals called for blood donations, but exact casualties were t immediately kwn.

Miles from scene of blast, balconies were kcked down, ceiling collapsed and windows were shattered.

cause of blast was t immediately clear. It came at a time when Leban is passing through its worst ecomic and financial crisis in deces.

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