WATCH | Large blast in Beirut port area shakes Lebanon's capital

04 August 2020 - 18:21 By Lisa Barrington and Ghaida Ghantous

Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.

Firefighters spray water after a large explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday.
Image: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A large explosion shook the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, after which a giant column of smoke was seen rising over the city, Reuters witnesses and local media reported.

A video I received on WhatsApp of the scalr of explosion in #Beirut, confirming it was at the port. pic.twitter.com/bIkcyfsi0o
— Bissan Fakih (@BissanCampaigns) August 4, 2020

Close up footage of the Beirut explosion in Lebanon 😳 pic.twitter.com/d6L05YHWcG
— El Sobrino Jr 🔞 (@ElSobrinoJr) August 4, 2020

Two security sources and a witness said the blast occurred in the port area containing warehouses.

The blast ripped through several areas of the capital, shattering windows and doors - and wounding people.

Lebanon's health minister Hamad Hasan said the explosion in central Beirut had caused a "very high number of injuries" and extensive damage, local LBC television quoted him as saying.

- Reuters