BREAKING: Major Explosion Hits Southern Lebanon

A powerful explosion has occurred in the southern Lebanese village of Ain Qana on Tuesday.

Local broadcasters reported that a loud explosion was heard there.

Multiple videos emerging online shows a large plume of smoke and dust emerging from the site of the blast.

https://twitter.com/philabouzeid/status/1308378750443237379?s=20

The cause of the blast was not immediately known, however, the imagery from the scene suggests the explosion caused heavy damage to buildings nearby.

The explosion occurred near the village’s gas station and cemetery, according to preliminary reports.

A massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on August 4, killing at least 200 people and injuring over 6000.

A fire was started by welding work and caused the detonation of more than 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service.

The Lebanese government declared a two-week state of emergency following the disaster, leading to anti-government protests erupting across Lebanon for their failure to prevent the disaster, joining a larger series of protests which have been taking place in the country since 2019.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the cabinet resigned on August 10, 2020, due to mounting political pressure exacerbated by the event.

More to follow...