Melbourne 'explosion' LIVE: Blast rocks Australian city as 'loud bang' heard
Melbourne locals have reported hearing a 'loud bang' that 'sounded like a bomb went off' at around midnight.
A blast has rocked the Australian city of Melbourne, with sirens heard across the city.
Residents heard the mystery blast just before midnight, adding it sounded 'like a bomb went off'.
It's believed to be centred around the south east of the city, with emergency services scrambling to the scene.
One shocked local said: "‘Dead set sounded like a bomb went off."
The exact nature of the incident is currently unknown.
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Where is Melbourne?
Melbourne is the coastal capital of the Australian state of Victoria, located on the southeast coast of the country.
It is the second-most populous city in Australia after Sydney, with a population of just over five million.
What we know so far:
Melbourne residents heard a blast before midnight.
Some reported a "loud bang" that "sounded like a bomb" going off. The blast appeared to come from the southeast part of the city.
The cause of the blast remains unclear.
'Loud bang' heard
An X user said he heard a "loud bang" in Melbourne's south east.
He wrote: "Did anyone hear that loud bang in Melbourne's south east?"
Blast 'sounded like a bomb went off'
Locals have taken to social media to report the mystery blast.
One said: "Dead set sounded like a bomb went off."
"Did anyone hear that loud bang in Melbourne's south east?" another local wrote on social media.
Another said: "That was some sorta explosion in East Bentleigh! Sirens galore now. Dead set sounded like a bomb went off."
A third added: "Heard something from mine and I'm in McKinnon.. what the hell?"
Good afternoon
We will be bringing you all the latest updates after a blast was heard across Melbourne, Australia, shortly before midnight on Tuesday.