Shocking videos capture massive explosion that just rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut

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• A massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Tuesday.
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• The cause of the blast that originated near the city's port was not immediately known, but Lebanon's national news agency said it may have been caused by a fire at a fireworks warehouse.
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A massive explosion and serious shock wave shook the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Tuesday. Emergency workers are presently responding, but the severity of the damage and the number of casualties are unknown.

Videos of the huge blast, the exact cause of which has yet to be determined, quickly surfaced on social media.

-Nader Itayim | ‌‌نادر ایتیّم (@ncitayim) August 4, 2020

-Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) August 4, 2020

Lebanon's National New Agency reported that a fire broke out at a fireworks warehouse, suggesting this may have triggered the explosion.

-Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) August 4, 2020

Some observers said they suspected that the massive explosion was caused by the ignition of a massive flammable source like a container full of fertilizer.

-Abby Sewell (@sewella) August 4, 2020

A red-orange cloud lingered over part of the city after the explosion. The extent of the damage is currently unknown, but local reports indicate that while the blast was focused on the port area, there was extensive, widespread damage across the city, as well as an unknown number of casualties.

The national news agency reports that "the number of casualties is countless"

-Ahmad M. Yassine | أحمد م. ياسين (@Lobnene_Blog) August 4, 2020