Beirut port blast kills 100 and injures thousands

An explosion in Lebanon's capital has killed around 100 and injured over 4,000 people yesterday.

The blast began with a fire at a port in Beirut which then exploded at approximately 18:00.

Videos show a loud and powerful boom of smoke and local reports of the incident say that people were stuck under rubble with wrecked cars and destroyed buildings surrounding the area.

According to President Michel Aoun, over 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound that is highly explosive when it comes into contact with fire, was unsafely stored at a warehouse near the port.

Officials are investigating the exact cause of the blast, and those found responsible would receive the "maximum punishment" according to Lebanon's Supreme Defence Council.

President Aoun has also announced that a two-week state of emergency should be declared, releasing emergency funds of 100 billion lira (£50.5m) to help. Moreover, an official state of mourning will take place in the country over the next three days.