A massive explosion ripped through the Lebanon;'s capital Beirut City on Tuesday, August 4, injuring many people and blowing out windows in a wealth of buildings across the port city.
The source of the explosion was believed to be a major fire at a warehouse for firecrackers close to Port Beirut.
The blast sent up an enormous mushroom cloud-like shockwave and damaged many buildings miles from the port, including the headquarters of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and CNN's bureau in downtown Beirut. A red cloud hung over in the wake of the explosion as firefighting teams rushed to the accident's scene to try to put out the fire.
Many people were wounded in the blast, authorities announced, and footage from the scene captured the injured staggering through the capital's streets.
Lebanon's health minister ordered all hospitals in the area to prepare to receive injuries.
Homes as far as ten kilometres away were damaged, according to witnesses.