This is a developing situation, please check back in for updates.
UPDATES:
Director General of the Lebanese General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, said that “the talk about fireworks is ridiculous.”
More than 30 confirmed dead and over 3,000 injured.
https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking/status/1290680641563041793
https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1290700315583545355
The Health Minister says that hundreds of people have been injured. The official death toll so far is mercifully only ten.
The first official statement from a Lebanese security official has said that the explosion was caused by "explosive materials" stored in a port warehouse. The statement has brought up more questions than it answers.
Yet another reporter has told Al Jezeera that he "is skeptical" of the fireworks story.
The BBC is reporting:
However, as of now, there is no evidence that this was anything other than an explosion at a fireworks warehouse or depot. https://twitter.com/Samarsaeed/status/1290678373040246785 The port where the explosion took place is just a couple of miles from downtown Beirut. It is a district with shops, government offices, and the cultural heart of the city. It had just reopened from lockdown meaning many people were out on the streets. https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1290670794549284865 https://twitter.com/BassemDy/status/1290679540298244096 Two reporters on Al Jezeera have separately stated that they heard either a jet or a missile sound prior to the explosion. Some people on the ground are skeptical of the "fireworks" theory. https://twitter.com/Lobnene_Blog/status/1290675724416884739 There is also talk of a "firecracker factory" being involved. As of yet, no one seems to know the cause of the large blastwave. https://twitter.com/Jtruzmah/status/1290676668617564160 Local reporters are saying that it could be a terror attack of some description. https://twitter.com/Holbornlolz/status/1290671769427292160 In the port area of Lebanon, Beirut, a major explosion has happened. With a huge blast wave that damaged buildings miles away from the source, injuries and deaths are unknown but likely to be high. https://twitter.com/Holbornlolz/status/1290672636054437888 Reporters on the ground say that the cause of the explosion, possibly two blasts – one triggered by the other.A large blast has hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, ahead of the verdict in a trial over the killing of ex-PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Reports say the explosion was in the port area of the city, with unconfirmed reports of a second blast. The authorities fear many casualties. Video posted online showed a large mushroom cloud and extensive damage. A UN tribunal is due to issue its verdict in the trial of four suspects in the murder by car bomb of Hariri. All four are members of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, which has consistently denied any role in Hariri's death. The verdict is due on Friday. The possible second explosion was reported to be at the Hariri residence in the city.
