Massive explosion rocks Lebanon's capital city of Beirut

The afternoon blast shook several parts of the capital and thick smoke billowed from the city centre.

Some local TV stations reported that the blast was at Beirut's port.

Footage shared on social media shows a massive explosion taking place before a shockwave spreads out across the city, which can be viewed in the tweet embedded in this article.

Residents reported windows being blown out and false ceilings dropping.

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Firecrackers are stored in the area where the blast occurred, according to local TV reports.

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