Lebanese capital

More than 70 dead after explosion rips through Beirut port

Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further after the blast as emergency workers dug through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead. It was the most powerful explosion in years to hit Beirut, which is already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one Australian had been killed and Australia's embassy had been "impacted significantly" in the explosion. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said some embassy staff were hit by flying glass when the building's windows were blown out, ABC reported.