Beirut Twin Suicide Bomb Leaves Scores Dead, ISIS Claims Responsibility [VIDEO]

UPDATE: 6:48 p.m. EST: The death toll from the twin suicide bombings in southern Beirut has risen to 43 people, the Associated Press reported. More than 239 people were injured in the attacks, according to the Lebanon Health Ministry.

Original Story:

Two suicide bomb blasts set off in a suburb south of Beirut late Thursday killed at least 41 people and injured more than 200, Agence France-Presse reported. The attacks were the deadliest to hit a stronghold of the Shiite movement in years, officials said.

The explosions occurred about 100 feet from each other in the Ain al-Sikke neighborhood in Burj al-Barajneh where there is considerable support for the Lebanese Hezbollah. The group sent hundreds to support Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces in the conflict over the border against Sunni insurgents. Hezbollah has vowed to fight against militant groups such as the Islamic State group, which have terrorized the area.

A third suicide bomber was killed before he could detonate his own bomb, Reuters reported. The body was found near the explosions, which were set off within five minutes of each other. The explosions also damaged four buildings, CNN reported.

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam condemned the attacks as "unjustifiable" and called for support against "plans to create strife."

A video has surfaced on YouTube, allegedly showing the aftermath of the first bomb as people scrambled to escape the area.

Local news outlets captured footage of wounded people being transported from the scene and blood on the streets, Azerbaijan Press Agency reported.

"I'd just arrived at the shops when the blast went off. I carried four bodies with my own hands, three women and a man, a friend of mine," Zein al-Abideen Khaddam said.

Following the attacks, authorities closed off access to Bourj al-Barajneh, CNN reported.

ISIS reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks although its involvement has not been confirmed. A statement from ISIS has been circulated on social media.