Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A strong explosion occurred in the Lebanese capital, Reuters reported citing eyewitnesses. According to the agency, a column of smoke is rising over the explosion site.

Al Arabiya TV channel reports that several explosions thundered in Beirut at once, and so strong that the roar was heard more than 20 km from the city. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but Al Arabiya notes that the explosion occurred at a warehouse location in the port of Beirut.

Reuters intelligence sources confirm that the explosion took place in the port of Beirut, in the area where the warehouses are located. Lebanese TV channel LBC reports an explosion at a fireworks warehouse.

According to the Lebanese TV station MTV, initial evidence suggests that the explosion was not caused by a terrorist attack. At the same time, MTV notes that the explosion caused huge damage, there are many victims.

The greater number of victims, with reference to the head of the Lebanese Ministry of Health Hamad Hasan, is also reported by Reuters. LBC TV channel reports on ten dead and hundreds of injured and calls for volunteers to donate blood for the victims.

The Arab News portal, citing eyewitnesses, reports about large-scale destruction in the areas adjacent to the explosion site, as well as broken glass in the windows of houses miles from the port. According to the LBC TV channel, cars on the nearby highway were also damaged.

According to the Governor of Beirut, half of the city was affected. A Lebanese army spokesman said the explosion took place at a place where confiscated explosives had been transported for years.

According to preliminary data, saltpeter, confiscated from one of the ships more than a year ago and stored in a warehouse, could have exploded there. But the exact cause of the incident is still unknown, it is necessary to wait for the results of the investigation, the Lebanese Interior Minister said.

Tomorrow is declared a day of mourning in the country.