At around 6pm local time, a warehouse that had been holding what was estimated to be over 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate for the past six years exploded in the city’s port area creating two separate blasts, according to USA Today.

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim said: “It appears that there is a warehouse containing material that was confiscated years ago, and it appears that it was highly explosive material.”

The first explosion sent what residents thought to be an earthquake across the city, and the second, emitted a large red “mushroom” like cloud in the sky. The United States Geological Survey reports that the explosion registered a magnitude of 3.3.

According to ABC News, “The blast itself was heard up to 25 miles south of the city, and many streets in Beirut are now paved with broken glass.” Some witnesses have claimed that the blast was heard over 125 miles away to the neighboring country of Cyrpess, and that it was reminiscent of a “nuclear bomb.”

As a result of the deadly blast, a “strange smell” has been emitted that officials are claiming could be toxic and are enforcing masks to be worn. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has issued a security warning to any Americans in the area, “stay indoors and wear masks if available.”

Many civilians have been sharing their grievances about those harmed, as well as reporting about the damage done to their homes.

“I have friends who live 10-15 minutes away who showed me their entire house was blown out. I am wondering how people are going to sleep tonight without windows,” said local reporter, Habib Battah.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed in a televised address that “those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price,” and declared Wednesday a day of national mourning.  

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