Priest says Mass in church damaged in Beirut blast

Video surveillance footage from inside a church in Beirut captures the moment a shockwave from Tuesday's devastating explosion slams into the building.

The footage shows Father Rabih Thoumy swinging a chain censer sending smoke into the air before rubble begins to fall from the ceiling at St. Maron Baouchrieh Church.

Church priest, Father Marwan Mouawad, was chanting off-camera when the lights went out and glass rattled before crashing down to the ground.

He was seated in the first row inside the church when the incident took place.

Father Marwan Mouawad said it was "truly a miracle" that those inside the church survived.

Parishioners returned to the church on Sunday for Mass.

The damage from the blast was visible, including broken stain glass windows.

The massive explosion was thought to be caused by the ignition of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used for explosives and fertiliser, that was being stored at the Beirut Port.