At least one major explosion has been heard in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. The cause of the blast is unknown, but video footage captured the devastation wreaked on the city.
The explosion struck the city’s port area shortly after 6pm local time on Tuesday. Video footage captured the shock wave striking buildings kilometers away, as a massive mushroom cloud of dust and debris was shot into the sky.
With the cause of the explosion still unclear, reports soon flowed in of another blast, this time in the city center. It is unknown whether a second explosion actually took place, or whether the damage reported was caused by the shock wave of the first, though footage being circulated online appears to show two distinct smoke plumes within the port area.
Local residents have shared images showing extensive damage to property. The office of the Daily Star newspaper was smashed by the blast, with windows blown out and furniture flung to the ground. France24 correspondent Leila Molana-Allen said that her apartment was “blown apart,” adding that she thinks the blast was caused by a “missile from a jet.”
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