2020 Beirut explosion
On August 4, 2020, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, experienced a catastrophic explosion that resulted in over 150 fatalities and more than 5,000 injuries. The disaster was triggered by a large fire that ignited a stockpile of approximately 2,750 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a substance that had been improperly stored in a port warehouse since its confiscation from a cargo ship in 2013. Despite repeated warnings from port officials about the dangers posed by the ammonium nitrate, no action was taken by the Lebanese government to mitigate the risk. The explosions caused widespread destruction, severely damaging the port and surrounding areas, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. In the aftermath, widespread protests erupted as citizens demanded accountability and change from their leaders, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his government. International aid efforts were quickly organized, with the United Nations pledging substantial support to assist the affected population. The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding governance and safety within Lebanon, prompting a call for reforms and better oversight of hazardous materials.
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2020 Beirut explosion
On August 4, 2020, a pair of massive explosions killed dozens and caused billions of dollars of damage in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut. The death toll from the Beirut explosion topped 150 with more than 5,000 people injured. Experts believe the deadly blasts were caused by a combination of an unchecked fire and the improper storage of more than 2,750 pounds of ammonium nitrate. The high explosive fertilizer had been confiscated from an inoperable ship in 2013, and had been stored in a port warehouse since the seizure.
Port authorities and customs workers had long been aware of the danger caused by the ammonium nitrate. They had repeatedly warned government officials that the fertilizer was at risk of combusting, and that the explosion would cause severe damage to the city. Despite this, no action was taken by the government. When this fact was reveled after the explosion, many city residents rioted. In the wake of the unrest, Lebanon’s prime minister and his government resigned.
Background
In September 2013, a Moldovan cargo ship called the Rhosus docked in Beirut, a major Lebanese port city. The ship was exhibiting signs of severe technical problems on its way from Georgia to Mozambique. It was listed as carrying a cargo of 2,750 pounds of ammonium nitrate.
Ammonium nitrate is one of the world’s most common fertilizers. It is usually stored and transported in the form of small, porous, tightly-packed pellets. The chemical is also commonly used in mining explosives. Though ammonium nitrate itself does not burn, it acts as an extremely potent accelerant. Additionally, if exposed to high enough temperatures, the chemical can rapidly decompose into gases, which can result in a powerful explosion. However, in order for ammonium nitrate to explode, the chemical must be stored in an extremely unsafe manner.
After the Rhosus was inspected, port authorities in Beirut declared that the ship was no longer seaworthy and forbid the crew from taking the vessel back out to sea. Rather than paying for the substantial repairs, the ship’s crew abandoned the vessel in Beirut. Several creditors then came forward with legal claims regarding the Rhosus.
In 2014, the ship’s cargo was seized by the Beirut port authority. They stored the ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port. The director of Lebanese customs began to file inquiries with the Lebanese government, questioning what to do with the substantial amount of ammonium nitrate.
Several months passed before customs officials filed another request, asking a local judge for guidance on the ammonium nitrate. They continued to do so throughout 2015, but failed to receive a meaningful response. In 2016, Lebanese customs specifically asked the local courts for permission to sell or re-export the seized cargo. However, such permission was not granted. Customs continued to file complaints throughout the following year, asking that local authorities re-examine the issue. However, no progress was made.
Overview
In early 2020, port officials inspected the stock of ammonium nitrate. They were extremely concerned by their discovery, advising that the government immediately relocate the cargo. According to media reports, the officials warned that should the cargo explode, it had the potential to “blow up all of Beirut.” Once again, the warnings of port officials were ignored, and the cargo remained unmoved.
On August 4, 2020, a large fire broke out at Beirut’s port. Though the cause of the fire remains unknown, videos show that the fire was steadily spreading. As smoke billowed from the dock area, the roof of the warehouse where the ammonium nitrate was being stored was consumed by the blaze. A large explosion rocked the area, followed by a series of smaller explosions that witnesses said sounded like fireworks. Less than a minute after the first blast, a catastrophic explosion occurred. The explosion caused a large mushroom cloud and a blast wave that devastated the port city. The explosion killed dozens of people, destroying properties up to several miles away. The blast also ignited fires and destroyed windows throughout much of Beirut.
The following day, as rescue workers continue to search for survivors, Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared a two-week state of emergency, giving the military the task of keeping order in the area. Lebanon’s High Defense Council also declared a disaster in the region. Diab revealed to the public that the port had held the ammonium nitrate since 2013. Experts quickly deduced that the fire had caused the massive quantities of improperly stored ammonium nitrate to explode.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene on August 6. Macron stated that the country could run out of fuel and food within months. Beirut is the primary port for Lebanon, and its destruction caused severe damage to the nation’s infrastructure. That same day, protests broke out across the country. Government officials arrested sixteen port workers for their ties to the incident. By August 7, the number of deaths had risen to 157 and the number of injuries had surpassed 5,000. The ship captain who originally brought the ammonium nitrate to Beirut, Boris Prokoshev, publicly stated that the Lebanese authorities were fully aware of the danger of the ship’s cargo.
The protests against the government continued to grow, and on August 8, protestors stormed numerous government buildings. Police restored order through the use of tear gas. In response to the protests, Prime Minister Diab called for early elections. He hoped that the election of new government officials might restore people’s faith in his government. Soon afterward, two members of Diab’s cabinet resigned, stating that they did not believe any efforts to salvage the administration could succeed. To help the people of the country, the United Nations promised to deliver $300 million worth of aid.
On August 10, Prime Minister Diab announced that his government would resign. He stated that he planned to take a step back from politics so that he could fight for change alongside the people of Beirut. However, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun asked that Diab continue serving as prime minister until the formation of a new government could be completed.
Bibliography
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