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Only after the massive explosion that devastated Beirut, many Lebanese learned about 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which was stored in a hangar in the city’s port. After the detonation of this chemical used to make explosives and fertilizers, a shock wave exploded in the Lebanese capital. Dozens of people died, thousands were injured, and much of the city fell into ruins.
After the explosion, many Lebanese are extremely shocked, upset and very angry at the people responsible for the disaster, reports aljazeera.com.
An analysis of public records and documents posted on the Internet revealed that senior Lebanese officials had known for more than six years that the Beirut port hangar had not. 12 stored ammonium nitrate. He was also aware of the dangers of this substance.
Ammonium nitrate to Lebanon in 2013 a Russian-owned Moldovan-flagged freighter arrived in September. According to the Fleetmon ship tracking portal, the Rhosus ship sailed from Georgia to Mozambique. According to lawyers representing the ship’s crew, Rhosus faced technical difficulties at sea and was forced to moor in Beirut. The Lebanese authorities did not allow him to leave, so he was eventually abandoned by both the owners and the crew. This information was partially confirmed by Fleetmon.
CSA Agent – Not Just Ammonium Nitrate
“It is not just ammonium nitrate,” said Robert Baer, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent. According to a man with a lot of experience in the Middle East, judging by the videos of the explosion that broke out on Tuesday, there may have been ammonium nitrate in the warehouse, but he does not believe that this material caused the powerful explosion, reports CNN.
The explosion was initially reported to have been caused by a large fire at a fireworks depot near the port, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
Mr. Baer believes there were military ammunition and propellants in stock. The former agent speculated that it could have been a weapons depot, but it is unclear who it belonged to.
More than 100 people died and thousands were injured
“So far, more than 4,000 people have been injured and more than 100 people have lost their lives.” Our teams are still conducting search and rescue operations in the surrounding areas, “the Red Cross said in a statement.
When a huge ball of orange flames exploded, a thick mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke hovered over the area.
The Lebanese Interior Minister reported that a large amount of ammonium nitrate appears to have exploded in the port.
The scale of the devastation has taken the country by surprise, which is struggling with both the coronavirus pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
A few hours after the explosion, the most devastating in Lebanon’s turbulent history, ambulances continued to arrive at the disaster site from all over the city, transporting the injured to hospitals. Hospitals became crowded very quickly. They asked for supplies of blood and a mobile electricity generator.
In the areas around the port, bloodied residents roared through the rubble-strewn streets, which saw many broken cars. The shock wave destroyed buildings and smashed their windows and doors for a few kilometers. The city’s only international airport was also affected.
Army helicopters helped put out a large fire in the port area.
Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told local television that the port appears to have exploited more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the port warehouse since 2014, when it was seized from a single cargo ship.
Witnesses reported seeing a cloud of orange smoke. Such a cloud is usually visible when the nitrate explosion releases toxic nitrogen dioxide.
The videos show that a fire broke out nearby just before the explosion. Local television reported that it originated from a fireworks warehouse. The fire seemed to spread to a nearby building and then a more powerful and dazzling explosion was heard, after which a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke rose into the sky.
The explosion erupted amid tensions between Israel and the Shiite Hezbollah paramilitary movement on the southern border of Lebanon. Many residents reported hearing the roar of airplanes before the explosion. This sparked rumors that an attack might have occurred, despite the normal Israeli military aviation flights over Lebanon.
An Israeli government official said that the Jewish state “has nothing to do” with the explosion. He spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to provide information to the media. Israeli officials generally do not comment on “foreign reports.” The Jewish government offered emergency aid to Lebanon through international mediators.
US President Donald Trump has said Washington is “ready to help Lebanon” and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed his “deepest condolences.”
“Our team in Beirut has informed me of the tremendous damage to the city and to the people who are dear to me. This is an additional challenge even in a deep crisis, “Pompeo said in a written statement.
Lebanese Health Minister Hassan Hamad said hospitals were struggling to cope with the influx of wounded, adding that Arab countries and Lebanese friends were offering help.
Marwan Abboud, the head of Beirut’s great adventure, couldn’t hold back his tears when he saw with his own eyes the extent of the devastation.
“Beirut is a devastated city,” he shouted.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab has promised that “the culprits will pay for it.”
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