The blast shook whole Beirut

The explosion ripped through the Lebanese capital, Beirut,
setting cars ablaze and damaging nearby buildings

A pall of thick black smoke hung over the scene
as emergency workers and firefighters tackled the blazing wreckage

The former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri,
was killed in the blast as his convoy drove past

Casualties of the blast

Many bystanders were hurt by flying glass
after the blast shattered windows of hotels and apartment blocks

A parked car packed with explosives appeared to have caused the blast,
leaving a massive crater in one of Beirut's busiest streets

News of Hariri's death spread quickly through Beirut causing shock and grief