Beirut explosion: Chilling pictures reveal aftermath of deadly Lebanon blast

Chilling pictures show the extent of injuries and damage from the deadly Beirut explosion. 

On Tuesday (local time), a warehouse in the city's port area exploded killing more than 73 people and injuring thousands more. 

Lebanese President Michel Aoun blamed the blast on 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was kept in the warehouse for six years without safety measures. Early reports suggest the explosion was triggered by a fire. 

Eerie photos show the devastation from the blast with buildings reduced to rubble. 

In one picture a man is seen carrying a blood-covered woman through the wreckage. The woman is limp and unconscious in his arms. 

A man carries away an injured person following a massive explosion in Beirut's port that rocked the whole city.
A man carries away an injured person following a massive explosion in Beirut's port that rocked the whole city. Photo credit: Getty Images

Another shows wounded people being cared for in a parking lot, including a blood-soaked, elderly man who is being treated on a stretcher outside a hospital. 

Wounded people receive help at the parking lot of Al Roum Hospital, following a massive explosion in Beirut's port.
Wounded people receive help at the parking lot of Al Roum Hospital, following a massive explosion in Beirut's port. Photo credit: Getty Images
Wounded people wait for treatment at the parking lot of Al Roum Hospital, following a massive explosion in Beirut's port.
Wounded people wait for treatment at the parking lot of Al Roum Hospital, following a massive explosion in Beirut's port. Photo credit: Getty Images
A wounded elderly man waits to receive treatment at the parking lot of Al Roum Hospital.
A wounded elderly man waits to receive treatment at the parking lot of Al Roum Hospital. Photo credit: Getty Images

Numerous other photos show buildings turned to rubble and debris littering the streets. In others people are sweeping up broken glass from the sidewalk. 

The blast was so strong that it overturned nearby cars and completely destroyed buildings. 

A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings in Beirut, Lebanon.
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo credit: Getty Images

The destruction was so severe in some areas that military bulldozers were used to clear roads for firefighters and ambulances, according to LBCI Lebanon News. 

 Lebanese military soldiers stand guard near the site of a massive explosion in Beirut's port.
Lebanese military soldiers stand guard near the site of a massive explosion in Beirut's port. Photo credit: Getty Images

Emergency services are still working to rescue people trapped in their houses. While hospitals are overwhelmed by the level of injuries with some turning people away because they are too full, according to AFP correspondent Maya Gebeily. 

The Lebanese government has launched an investigation into the blast. Prime Minister Hassan Diab says those responsible will "pay for what happened".