According to the media source, the deadly blast was the result of a diesel tank explosion in a local bakery. Initial reports placed the number of dead at two with multiple casualties.
Citing Lebanese channel Al-Jadid, the Russian RIA Novosti agency reported that at least 50 were injured in the explosion. Contrary to the Daily Star's report, RIA reports the explosion took place in a warehouse storing generator fuel.
Video footage from the scene shows significant damage caused to the area surrounding the explosion's epicenter as debris is seen scattered throughout the street leading to the area of the blast, with people once again feared to be trapped under the rubble.
Images circulating on social media show large pillars of smoke rising from the neighborhood, as well as a fire, which is reportedly still raging in the epicenter.
Residents of the neighborhood are being evacuated from the area, according to Lebanese journalist Shada Omar. Shortly after the explosion, tourist site Beirut.com posted a tweet encouraging blood donations for urgent transfusions at the city's Makassed Hospital.
A major blast took place in the Beirut Port two months ago, killing 203 people and injuring at least 6,500 others. A large stockpile of ammonium nitrate is believed to have been the cause of the deadly explosion. READ MORE
