Beirut explosion: At least 135 people dead and 5,000 injured

The famously resilient soul of Beirut trampled unmercilessly once more.

Amongst the rubble and twisted steel the need for accountability: port officials where the chemicals were stored have been put under house arrest and the country, which has seen its share of political unrest this year has been placed under a two week state of emergency.

The explosion happened in the port area of the city centre: on one side the Mediterranean, on the other – tightly knit residential and commercial districts.

The destruction from the shockwaves was both immediate and all-encompassing.

A warning: there are distressing images right from the start of this report.