Thread by @ncitayim

Footage of the massive explosion at #Beirut port a short while ago. It's truly frightening. #Lebanon

#Lebanon's health minister says the massive explosion at #Beirut's port area haas resulted in a "very high number of injuries."

Director General of #Lebanon's public security says the explosion at #Beirut port was not caused by a bomb, but by highly-explosive materials that were confiscated several years ago - @AJABreaking

Interestingly, #Lebanon's Director General of public security Abbas Ibrahim also described the theory that fireworks were behind the #Beirut explosion as "ridiculous".

Secretary General of #Lebanon's Red Cross says there are many casualties and hundreds of injuries as a result of the explosion at #Beirut port earlier today - @AJABreaking

#Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab has declared tomorrow, Wednesday, a national day of mourning for the victims of today's explosions at #Beirut port.

#Lebanon's minister of interior warns against jumping to conclusions re: the cause of today's massive explosion at #Beirut ports, but says preliminary info points to highly explosive materials that were confiscated years ago and kept in warehouse 12 - @OTVLebanon

The #Kazakh ambassador to #Lebanon was injured as a result of the massive explosion at #Beirut port earlier today - @AJABreaking

NEW: #Lebanon's health minister says 27 have been killed and 2,500 injured as a result of today's blast at #Beirut port - @AJABreaking

NEW estimate from #Lebanon's health ministry puts casualties at 30 and injuries at 3,000 as a result of today's explosion at #Beirut port - @SkyNewsArabia_B

#Lebanon's PM Diab vows to determine who was responsible for today's explosion in #Beirut, and insists those officials will be held accountable.

Looks increasingly like this is being considered an accident.

NEW estimate from #Lebanon's health ministry to @AJENews: 40 casualties; around 2,500 injured. #BeirutBlast

NEW: #Lebanon's health ministry now says at least 50 people have died from the #Beirut blast today, and 2,750 have been injured.

#Lebanon's health minister now says at least 63 have been killed as a result of today's explosion in Beirut, and 3,600 injured. #BeirutBlast