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At least 149 people died and more than 5,000 were injured in a massive explosion in Lebanon's capital Beirut on 4 August, Lebanese newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour reported, citing a source in the Ministry of Health.

Information about 145 victims was reported earlier, TASS said.

A powerful blast rocked the Beirut port area near the Lebanese Navy’s base, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, while more than 300,000 people were left without homes.

Local authorities said the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by customs services in 2015. Lebanese authorities have detained 16 officials from the administration of Beirut’s port.