Beirut explosion – Massive blast with mushroom cloud rips through Lebanese capital killing 10 and injuring scores

A MASSIVE explosion has rocked downtown Beirut completely flattening much of the port as a giant mushroom cloud rose over the capital of Lebanon.

At least ten people are dead and hundreds are reportedly injured in the colossal explosion which could be heard some 125 miles away in Cyprus.

Lebanon's state news agency NNA and two security sources said the blast had occurred in the port area where there are warehouses housing explosives, reports Reuters.

Buildings around the port have been leveled, windows and doors have been blown out and huge plumes of smoke are blowing across Beirut.

Video shows a column of smoke rising from the 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

The Lebanese Minister of Health has claimed the explosion was caused by fireworks and a "very high number" of people have been injured.

Al Mayadeen television said there were hundreds of casualties.

Lebanese security and medical sources have confirmed at least ten dead bodies have been removed form the scene of the explosion.

Witnesses claim there may have been two blasts – with many people filming the aftermath of the first when the second ripped through the city.

Videos on social media appear to show several small firework-like explosions coming from a building before the main blast.

A witness said: "I saw a fireball and smoke billowing over Beirut. People were screaming and running, bleeding.

"Balconies were blown off buildings. Glass in high-rise buildings shattered and fell to the street."

Pictures showing the battered and bloody arriving at hospitals in search of treatment after the carnage.

An AP photographer near Beirut's port saw people lying wounded on the ground and widespread destruction in central Beirut.

Some local TV stations reported the blast was at Beirut's port inside an area where firecrackers were stored.

Hospitals are reportedly desperately requesting blood donations as the wounded stream in.

Another witness said: "All the downtown area windows are smashed and there are wounded people walking around. It is total chaos."

Video of the explosion has been shared on social media, with one eyewitness describing it as "terrifying".

The BBC says the explosion comes as a verdict is due in a trial over the killing of ex-PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.

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