Lebanese Red Cross and security officials say a car bomb in east Beirut has killed at least eight people and wounded dozens in the worst blast the city has seen in years.

A Lebanese first responder carries an injured boy at the scene of an explosion in Beirut that killed at least eight people and injured dozens more. A Lebanese first responder carries an injured boy at the scene of an explosion in Beirut that killed at least eight people and injured dozens more. (Hussein Malla/Associated Press)

The motive behind the attack was not immediately clear. But it comes at a time when Lebanon has seen a rise in tension and eruptions of clashes stemming from the civil war in neighbouring Syria.

The security officials and officials from the Red Cross said at least 61 people were wounded. The state news agency said 78 were wounded. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to talk to the press.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw bloodied victims being loaded in ambulances and heavy damage to residential buildings.