Beirut explosion: dead and wounded among ‘hundreds of casualties’, says Lebanon Red Cross – live updates
Scale and cause of blast still being assessed amid reports hospitals too damaged to treat patients
- Full report: huge explosion in Beirut
- Beirut explosion – in pictures
Here is some quick analysis from my colleague, Peter Beaumont.
Amid highly conflicting and vague initial explanations over the cause of the Beirut explosion, a few things stand out. Most of the video footage that has been posted on social media, appears to begin with the aftermath of the first of the two explosions.
Israeli officials have denied involvement in the Beirut port explosion.
“Israel has nothing to do with the incident,” the official said on condition of anonymity, according to Reuters.
Related: Israel and Hezbollah clash after border ‘infiltration attempt’
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