The blast in Beirut was felt 240 km away: Some people died; others turn out to be lost

Lebanese officials say the shocking blast in the capital, Beirut, was caused by several explosive devices. Abbas Ibrahim, from the General Directorate of Security in Lebanon, said the powerful explosion was a consequence of these materials. "It would be naive to describe it as a fireworks display," he told Lebanese TV. In the port, there are explosives depots, although it is unclear what prompted their explosion.

So far, at least 10 people have died, according to reliable Reuters sources. This is a preliminary figure and is likely to increase. Unfortunately, 10 firefighters are lost in the flames and there is no trace of them. The city's governor, Marwan Abboud, described the scene with that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "It is a national catastrophe," he said.

The blast was felt on the island of Cyprus, about 240 kilometers from Lebanon, according to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC).

Witnesses told CNN that emergency rooms in Beirut hospitals are in a state of chaos. Dozens of people arrived injured. "Some were maimed, some injured with glass."

The Prime Minister of Lebanon, Hassan Diab, declared the day of national mourning. Israeli authorities, meanwhile, have denied involvement in the Beirut port bombing. "Israel has nothing to do with the incident," an official said on condition of anonymity, according to Reuters.

Burimet: Reuters, The Guardian, CNN