The substance which the Environmental Protection Agency alarmed to be highly hazardous and needed the swift intervention of state security, was rejected by Bea Mining Corporation after they discovered that it was mixed with HFO. Wilson Tarpeh, confirmed the presence of the substance. This was after field agents of the EPA hinted central office of the presence of the substance at the port.
Ammonium nitrate is an industrial chemical commonly used in fertilizers and as an explosive for quarrying and mining. It is an oxidizer considered relatively safe if uncontaminated and stored properly. But it is extremely dangerous if contaminated, mixed with fuel or stored unsafely. A large quantity of ammonium nitrate exposed to intense heat can trigger an explosion. Storing the chemical near large fuel tanks, in bulk in large quantities and in a poorly-ventilated facility could cause a massive blast.
The larger the quantity, the more risk it will detonate. At departure time hrs , the Ship contained bags of contaminated ammonium nitrate. This rejected consignment is being repatriated to the country of origin, Turkey. A cargo of 2, tonnes of the substance equivalent to around 1. The explosion was preceded by a fire in the same warehouse, but as of September , the exact cause of the detonation is still under investigation.
The blast physically shook the whole country of Lebanon. It was felt in Turkey, Syria, Palestine, and Israel as well as parts of Europe, and was heard in Cyprus, more than km mi away. It was detected by the United States Geological Survey as a seismic event of magnitude 3.
The Lebanese government declared a two-week state of emergency in response to the disaster. In its aftermath, protests erupted across Lebanon against the government for their failure to prevent the disaster, joining a larger series of protests which have been taking place across the country since Close Menu. Aid Withdrawal Under Trump February 5, Facebook X Twitter Instagram. Facebook X Twitter. Support Our Journalism.
