Sky Tower goes dark to honour Beirut explosion victims

Auckland's Sky Tower turned its lights off overnight to pay tribute to the victims of the Beirut explosion. 

At least 145 people died in the blast in the Lebanese capital, believed to have been caused by a stockpile of ammonium nitrate.

A spokesperson for the Sky Tower said the move "stands in solidarity" with the people of Lebanon, and remembers the victims. 

"SkyCity lights the Sky Tower for charities or community initiatives that we support financially, to mark national holidays, milestones or other celebrations or events, or as a symbol of respect or solidarity."

In June the tower was lit up blue to honour police officer Matthew Hunt, who was shot during a routine traffic stop, and red to support the Heart Kids annual appeal. 

It was lit green and yellow last year to mark Daffodil Day, and red in 2016 to honour the victims of a suicide bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed more than 250 people, and red and gold to mark Chinese New Year.