A large blast in the Lebanese capital

A large blast in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has killed at least 70 people and injured more than 4,000 others.

Hospitals are said to be overwhelmed and many buildings have been destroyed.

"All the buildings around here have collapsed. I'm walking through glass and debris everywhere, in the dark," - Red Cross employee told the media.
 
According to the governor, Marwan Abboud, half of the city's buildings were damaged.

The blast wave also touched the building of the diplomatic mission of Kazakhstan in the Lebanese capital.
 
"By the time of explosion, the diplomatic mission staff left the office after the end of the working day. The consul remained at work and received minor injuries during the blast wave. Our diplomats are in operational communication with the local authorities, they are checking information about Kazakhstan citizens who are in Lebanon," - Foreign Ministry said.

Officials are blaming highly explosive materials stored in a warehouse for six years.

President Michel Aoun tweeted it was "unacceptable" that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored unsafely.