“It is a catastrophe, I’ve never seen something like that.”

Lebanon is in a state of emergency following a massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people and injured thousands.

Follow our LIVE coverage on the #BeirutBlast: https://aje.io/rfzzu 

#BeirutBlast latest updates https://aje.io/rfzzu 

• At least three hospitals destroyed, two damaged
• At least two Filipino nationals among dead
• Australia confirms death of one national
• Iran, Cyprus, Malaysia offer help

What is ammonium nitrate?

Ammonium nitrate, which Lebanese authorities have said caused the devastating #BeirutBlast, is an odourless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertiliser that has caused numerous industrial explosions over the decades https://aje.io/ep3bw 

Public records & documents published online show senior Lebanese officials knew for +6 years that ammonium nitrate was stored in a hangar at Beirut's port & the dangers it posed.

So how did this happen? Here's what we know so far https://aje.io/3nz7v  | #BeirutBlast

The devastating #BeirutBlast has came at a time when Lebanon is passing through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades.

What’s behind the economic collapse? @timourazhari breaks it down https://twitter.com/AJEnglish/status/1284906508401156096?s=20

"The blast blew me metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood."

Devastation in the wake of the #BeirutBlast — in pictures https://aje.io/4g5t8 

"We are witnessing a real catastrophe."

Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab has appealed to all countries for help after the #BeirutBlast before reiterating his pledge that those responsible will pay the price https://aje.io/q9bxh 

More than 200,000 people have been left homeless by the #BeirutBlast with damages ranging from $3-5bn.

Follow our LIVE coverage https://aje.io/pwmlq 

'Youssef, dad is in heaven'

Al Jazeera's @timourazhari spoke to witnesses and survivors in the immediate aftermath of the #BeirutBlast | https://aje.io/sldqg 

This before and after image of the #BeirutBlast shows the impact of the massive explosion that has killed at least 100 people, injured thousands, and left up to 300,000 homeless.

All the latest updates https://aje.io/czt9d