A huge car bomb in east Beirut has killed at least eight people and wounded dozens in the worst blast the city has seen in years, officials say.

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.

Security and Red Cross officials said at least 61 people were wounded. The state news agency said 78 were wounded.

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