A colossal explosion devastated the capital city of Lebanon killing at least 70 and injuring over 4,000 while reducing much of the port to ruins. Buildings within a quarter-mile radius were destroyed and there are reports of the blast being heard and felt over 180 miles away.
According to the Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 2,750 tones of ammonium nitrate improperly stored in a warehouse for several years at Beirut’s port is what caused the explosion. Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in fertilizers and explosives like fireworks.
Videos from different angles across the city show the giant mushroom cloud and a huge plume of smoke rising from the area of the explosion. The deafening blast that followed was strong enough to blow windows out of buildings and flip over cars.
The Lebanese Red Cross dispatched more than 30 teams to respond to the scene of the blast. Those injured were taken to local hospitals that quickly became overwhelmed with the thousands of those injured and dozens killed.
A man who was about 550 yards from the port was knocked off his feet by the force of the explosion. He said, “It was a real horror show. I haven’t seen anything like that since the days of the [civil] war.”
The cause of the initial explosion is still under investigation. Prime Minister Diab said, “I will not relax until we find the responsible party for what happened, hold it accountable and apply the most serious punishment against it because it isn’t acceptable that a shipment of ammonium nitrate – estimated to be 2,750 tons – was in a depot for the past six years without precautionary measures being taken.”
President Trump addressed the terrible event during the White House coronavirus briefing, “Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon.”
