Beirut blasts: Lebanese volunteers band together to clean up and give aid

Hundreds of young Lebanese ditched drinks for brooms to sweep debris in the absence of a state-sponsored cleanup operation following a deadly blast. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital.

Lebanese youth take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael.

Volunteers clean the streets following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon.

People clean up after a massive explosion in Beirut.

Volunteers clean the streets from the wreckage following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area.

People clean up after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

People clean up after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael.

Volunteers clean the streets, following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon.

Volunteers gather aid supplies to be distributed for those affected by Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon.

Volunteers gather aid supplies to be distributed for those affected by Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon

Volunteers gather aid supplies to be distributed for those affected by Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon