Massive Explosions Rock Beirut Ahead Of Ex-PM Assassination Case Verdict | Watch Terrifying Video

The massive blast took place at Beirut's port which released a shockwave causing widespread damage to buildings, shattering windows in different parts of the city.

Aftermath of a massive explosion is seen in in Beirut, Lebanon. (Image: PTI)

Beirut: Massive explosions  shook Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday wounding hundreds of people and causing widespread damage. Even country's health minister confirmed the incidents, but cause of the blasts were not immediately clear. Hamad Hassan also informed that hundred of people were wounded in the explosions. The massive blast took place at Beirut's port which released a shockwave causing widespread damage to buildings, shattering windows in different parts of the city. Videos of the blasts doing round on social media shows a thick smoke billowed from the city centre. Residents reported windows being blown out and a false ceilings dropping. An Associated Press photographer near Beirut's port witnessed people wounded on the ground and widespread destruction in central Beirut. WATCH MASSIVE EXPLOSION HERE:

May Allah have mercy ???? https://t.co/eGihIVWl2r

— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) August 4, 2020

Some local TV stations reported the blasts were at Beirut's port inside an area where firecrackers were stored. The blasts took place just ahead of the UN tribunal's verdict in the 2005 assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. According to the BBC, the explosions was in the city's port area, with videos and local media showing a billowing mushroom cloud, people trapped under debris, and extensive damage, but there was no word of what caused the blast and who was responsible.

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This just happened in lebanon , right by where I live ! Please anybody in Beirut head to your closest hospital as people are in urgent need of blood ???? please stay safe everybody and I’m ok thank you all for the msgs ????????❤️ . #lebanon #beirut

A post shared by Bahij Kaddoura (@bahijkaddoura) on Aug 4, 2020 at 10:01am PDT

A witness described the blast as "defeaning". There were reports of another explosion at the Hariri residence in the city but no official confirmation.

Sending our prayers & love to Lebanon Blinks & everyone in Lebanon, we hope all of you are safe & are healthy!! Please stay safe & take care of each other, again sending all our love & prayers to you guys. Take care!!???????????? pic.twitter.com/c2ti0fy3k5

— BLACKPINK AMERICA 10.02 (@BPinAmerica) August 4, 2020

Seeing what’s happening in my country aches my heart. Lebanon is crying for help and we need to raise awareness #PrayForLebanon #Lebanon #beirutexplosion #beirut #بيروت #لبنان #حزب_الله pic.twitter.com/fgYrl5IdKk

— ???????????????? (@homiesexualsimp) August 4, 2020

Multiple angles of explosion. Including slow motion #Beirut #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/hGqxnsy4j9

— Rohit Sahota (@RohitSahota008) August 4, 2020

Video shows the devastation at Beirut Port pic.twitter.com/bvHqihhJp4

— Aurora Intel - #StayHome (@AuroraIntel) August 4, 2020

The UN tribunal is due to issue its verdict on Friday in the trial in absentia of the four suspects, all from the Hezbollah militia. Hariri was assassinated in a massive car bomb blast in downtown Beirut in February 2005. The popular Sunni businessman-turned-politician's death soon led to a wave of protests - the "Cedar Revolution" - that ultimately forced Syria to wind up its long-standing military presence in Lebanon.