In Pictures

In Pictures: Lebanon’s capital Beirut shaken by massive explosion

Giant mushroom cloud rises above Beirut as blast in port area causes casualties, extensive damage to parts of capital.

A picture shows the scene of an explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020. - A large explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4, an AFP correspondent said. The blast, which rattled entire bu — The explosion was felt in several parts of Beirut. [Anwar Amro/AFP]

A massive explosion has rocked Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, causing many casualties, damaging buildings and shattering windows.

The blast, which flattened much of the capital’s port, was felt across the city as a giant mushroom cloud rose above it.

Lebanon’s health minister on Tuesday said dozens of people were killed and thousands wounded, as witnesses said many were injured by flying glass and debris.

Kilometres from the scene of the blast, balconies were knocked down and ceilings collapsed.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. It came at a time when Lebanon is passing through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades.

A picture shows the scene of an explosion near the the port in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. Two huge explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut, wounding dozens of people, shaking — A picture shows the scene of an explosion near the the port in the Lebanese capital Beirut. [AFP]

A damaged vehicle is seen at the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir — A damaged vehicle is seen at the site of an explosion in Beirut. [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters]

Firefighters spray water at a fire after an explosion was heard in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — Firefighters spray water at a fire after the explosion. [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters]

People help a man who was wounded in a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging building — People help a man who was wounded in Beirut's massive explosion. [Hassan Ammar/AP Photo]

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon''s capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. STR / AFP — A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon''s capital Beirut. [AFP]

Smoke rises after an explosion was heard in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah — The blast wave from the explosion caused extensive damage to buildings within a large radius of the blast site. [Issam Abdallah/Reuters]

A wounded man walks near the scene of an explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020. - A large explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4, an AFP correspondent said. The blast, which rattled — A wounded man stands near the scene of the explosion. [Anwar Amro/AFP]

People gather near the scene of an explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020. - A large explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut today, an AFP correspondent said. The blast, which rattled entire build — People gather near the scene of the explosion. [Anwar Amro/AFP]

People walk at scene of an explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020. - A large explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut today, an AFP correspondent said. The blast, which rattled entire buildings and — People walk near the scene of the blast. [Anwar Amro/AFP]