Deadly car bomb hits Beirut at rush hour

First responders on the scene after car bomb exploded in central Beirut. The blast, around rush hour, killed at least eight people wounded 80.

Many parents were picking up children from school, and sent black smoke billowing into the sky.

Panicked locals could be seen looking for relatives while others helped carry the wounded to ambulances. Security forces blanketed the area.

SOUNDBITE: Women saying(Arabic):

''We were having our lunch and the roof collapsed over our heads. We didn't know what happened to us. Our furniture and walls are all gone now.''

The bomb exploded on the same street that a political party which opposes Syrian president Bashar al Assad, is based.