Moment mushroom cloud rises above Beirut after huge explosion

This is the moment a huge explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, reportedly killing at least ten people with "many more injured", according to officials.

Footage of the explosion shows an enormous mushroom cloud rising above the city near the harbour on Tuesday evening, with many buildings severely damaged.

At least ten bodies were taken to hospitals, Reuters reported, citing security and medical sources in the city, while the Al Mayadeen television said hundreds were wounded.

The video shows an initial blast in what some local television stations have reported was an area where fireworks were stored.

In the footage, smaller explosions appear to be set off before an even larger explosion tears through the building, triggering a huge shockwave that knocks the person filming backwards.

The aftermath of the explosions is also visible in the video, with the smoking wreckage of buildings surrounded by an area that appears almost totally devastated.

An eyewitness told reporters: "I saw a fireball and smoke billowing over Beirut. People were screaming and running, bleeding.

"Balconies were blown off buildings. Glass in high-rise buildings shattered and fell to the street."

The precise cause of the blast remains unknown.