DOZENS KILLED, THOUSANDS WOUNDED IN BEIRUT EXPLOSION

Officials expect death toll to rise after huge explosion rips through Lebanon’s capital.

Picture of the aftermath of the explosion|Al Jazeera

The Lebanese health ministry says at least 73 people have been killed while 3,700 are wounded in a massive explosion at the port in the capital, Beirut.

The explosion released a shockwave causing widespread damage to buildings and shattering windows in different parts of the city.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. Mohammed Fahmi, Lebanon’s interior minister, said it was apparently caused by ammonium nitrate that was stored in a warehouse at the port.

Here are the latest updates as gotten from Al Jazeera

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said that it is “unacceptable” that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored in a warehouse for six years without safety measures, according to statements published on the presidency’s Twitter account.

Aoun pledged that those responsible would face the “harshest punishments”.

General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim has said some 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate were in Beirut’s port on the way to Africa when they exploded.

Ibrahim made the comments after a meeting of Lebanon’s Higher Defence Council, which brings together the president and all major security agencies.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the death toll has risen to 73, with 3,700 wounded.

Confusing, devastating, disastrous: these were some of the words people in and around Beirut used to describe the huge explosion that ripped through the Lebanese capital.

The explosion at Beirut’s port was felt across the city and beyond, causing widespread damage and spreading panic