At least 10 people have been killed in a huge explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut, officials have said.

The country's health minister Hamad Hasan also told local news station LBC that there are a "high number of injuries" and the blast had caused extensive damage.

Hundreds of people have been hurt and some are still trapped in their homes, the Lebanese Red Cross charity has also warned.

Footage posted on social media revealed the moment a building several storeys high exploded, sending a vast shockwave across the city.

Pictures also showed a scene of devastation with cars upturned and emergency crews in operation in a large area around the gutted building.

The explosion appeared to be centred around the city's port area containing warehouses and rippled through several areas of the capital.

Witnesses said a number of people were injured during the widespread destruction across the city, with residents reporting ceilings collapsing and windows shattering.

Local media reported that a huge column of smoke was seen rising over the city.

Wounded people were seen on the ground near Beirut's port, according to a photographer at the scene.

(With input from agencies)