The whole city was shaken by the blast, which began with a fire at the port which exploded into a high cloud.

 

President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored unsafely in a warehouse for six years.

 

He scheduled an urgent cabinet meeting for today, and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared.

 

The country will observe an official period of mourning for three days from today.

 

Lebanon's Red Cross said: "What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe. There are victims and casualties everywhere. Over 100 have lost their lives. Our teams are still conducting search and rescue operations in the surrounding areas."