So, far reports have shown that over 100 people died in the explosion and more than 4,000 are injured. The numbers are expected to rise with many more streaming into the hospitals in the city, as search for missing people are currently underway.

The death toll includes foreigners from Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and more.

The blast was felt many kilometres away

A report by CNN also stated that the impact of the explosion extends up to 10 kilometres from the site, leaving behind devastating destruction.

According to New York Times, tremors caused by the explosion, which was recoded at 3.3 on richter scale, was felt all the way to Cyprus, located about 150 kilometres away.

Factfile on the Beirut explosions.The huge blast at Beirut port that devastated entire neighbourhoods of the city has killed more than 100 people and injured over 4,000, the Lebanese Red Cross says@AFPgraphics pic.twitter.com/Orbs0SwCRl

— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 5, 2020

This video is several different view points of the powerful & deadly explosion in #Beirut. There was more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in an unsecured warehouse where this massive explosion occurred. #BeirutBlast #explosion #LebanonExplosion #PrayForLebanon #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/nla6TqhN5p

— Equalizer (@Fuq_UrFeelings) August 5, 2020

What happened?

Initial social media posts by those who managed to capture the incident created many speculations, including bombing by Israel, but investigations has shown that the blast was caused by a huge cache of ammonium nitrate.

A bride was taking her wedding photos moments before the explosions — heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/Q4kvTtBqDO

— linah | لينة (@mohammadlinah) August 4, 2020

Is this bird or misile ?#Beirut #BeirutBlast #بيروت#حزب_الله #BeirutBlast #explosion #Kashmir #LebanonExplosionpic.twitter.com/wmZgBCSNDx

— Esra Bilgiç (@esbilgicreal) August 4, 2020

According to New York Times, the cache which contains approximately 2,750 tonnes of substances including ammonium nitrate, was seized by the government many years ago and stored at the port.

The detonation was reportedly an accident. However, the authorities have yet to confirm what triggered the explosion.

#Beirut explosion was caused by an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate left unsecured for 6 years in a warehouse after it was confiscated by the authorities.The explosion occurred while welding a warehouse opening to prevent theft. pic.twitter.com/MtHjCBYsN7

— NewsNewsNews (@NewsNewsNews999) August 4, 2020

The country's government has promised to take action against those who left such huge amount of explosives lying around at the depot for six years

What happens now?

The international community was quick to offer aid to Lebanon, a country that is already facing economic crises.

Latin American countries such as Brazil, Panama, Mexico and Ecuador, as well as Russia, were among the first to send aid in terms of medical supplies and manpower.

Images of the destruction caused by the explosion shows that the city looks like a war-zone after a bombing incident. Rubble and overturned vehicles are everywhere, and injured people including children were seen trying to seek assistance.

Devastating photos from the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanonplease pray for Beirut, Lebanon #Beirut pic.twitter.com/KKKq1ZTlvu

— Green (@greenaugustus44) August 4, 2020

Unfathomable level of destruction in #Beirut. The city has overcome war, invasions, earthquakes and today’s explosion is within than magnitude.More than 50 dead, 3000 injured. A humanitarian, political, environmental tragedy unfolding as we speak: pic.twitter.com/EwNZxrunCA

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 4, 2020

This looks like the end of the world in Lebanon.Shocking first video emerges after #Beirut explosion. pic.twitter.com/nHP6y2p7Rf

— i._am._riday (@am_riday) August 5, 2020

We hope that the country will recover from this incident and whoever was responsible for it faces justice.