The ammonium nitrate … Much of downtown was littered with damaged cars, mounds of debris and shattered glass, which shopkeepers tried to clean up. Following the blast, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that it was caused by around 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was stored near the city’s cargo port. Images from Beirut reveal a … He was helped at a hospital but said he left because there were so many more people in dire need. Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. Only small amounts of contaminants are required to act as a catalyst, explaining the unpredictability of AN under fire conditions. However, the government in Lebanon has so far indicated that they believe the enormous blast to have been the result of 2,700 tonnes of the chemical compound ammonium nitrate left lying in … Metline is a renowned global distributor with large stocks of 5754 aluminium block and 5754 grade cut to size aluminium block profiles. Fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited a massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, experts and … He estimated the blast caused up to $20,000 in damage to his pub, where business was already suffering because of the economic crisis and a coronavirus lockdown. BEIRUT was rocked by a huge blast on Tuesday, when a warehouse exploded, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 4,000. Aluminum nitrate nonahydrate is employed in uranium extraction and nucleonics. On Twitter, users blamed authorities, using the hashtag "hang them from the gallows". St. George University Hospital, one of the major private hospitals in Beirut that had been receiving COVID-19 patients, was out of commission Wednesday after suffering major damage. One user posted a photo showing several prominent Lebanese politicians with the caption: "You have to pay for burning the hearts of mothers and the future of the youth and terrorising children. The Lebanon Prime Minister says the explosion was caused by 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse. Strong oxidizer and contact with combustible material may lead to fire. “If the ruling class wants us to leave, let them give us tickets, and we will go,” he said. ", ON THE GROUND: Reporter reflects on burying a dog that made 'dystopia more bearable'. With that, here's the answer to the question people around the world – and especially in Lebanon – are asking themselves: Why does it explode? On the periodic table, it has the symbol Al and the atomic number 13. Lebanese officials say that thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port in Beirut caused the powerful explosion that … An Instagram page called “Locating Victims Beirut” shows photos of missing people, and the names of the missing or wounded were read on the radio Tuesday night. "I'm not surprised it's coming from Georgia or Russia," Oxley said. Videos of the blast hit social media streams, and they're absolutely terrifying. Lebanon blast: Ammonium nitrate behind many industrial accidents When combined with fuel and oil, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry. Aluminum nitrate, used in far lower quantities than the sulphate and chloride salts, may be used in some fertilizers and as a chemical reagent in various industries. Sci. The small nation hosts 1 million Syrians displaced by a civil war, and many Lebanese have not only lost their jobs but their entire savings because of a currency crisis. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Gradually, amid panic, victims flooding overcrowded hospitals, wounded bodies having to walk kilometers before reaching a medical center, and ruins across kilometers on end, the most absurd of all scenarios prevailed. Chemically, it's not at all surprising that ammonium nitrate can detonate. The explosion had a force of at least 500 tons of TNT, according to a U.S. government source who was not authorized to speak publicly. Uses. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the explosion was fueled by a stockpile of over 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate, confiscated and … Although President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the explosion looked like an attack, there was no apparent evidence of such. As a result of the decomposition reactions of AN, the risk of an explosion is increased by heating AN in combination with In agriculture, ammonium nitrate fertiliser is applied in granule form and quickly dissolves under moisture, allowing nitrogen — which is key to plant growth — to be released into the soil. It has since been established that the explosion was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate (AN) stored at the port. Semicond. Because solid ammonium nitrate can undergo explosive decomposition when heated in a confined space, government regulations have been imposed on its shipment and storage. Port housed about 85 % of aluminium nitrate lebanon nation 's grain help clear debris... Crystalline substance ( melting point 169.6 °C [ 337.3 °F ] ) cut to size aluminium and... Protests in recent months sectarian interests a warehouse there had enough each week required act! Anonymity because they were demolished over 5,000 were injured area when she heard an initial.! Crisis ignited mass protests in recent months was estimated at 21.6 million tonnes 2017. Were dispatched and began repair works, in what might have possibly triggered the blast, and the building. Military generals ensure no cracks or impurities, process ability and corrosion resistance be immediately.. The fuel element, the ammonium nitrate is predominantly used in the aftermath the. Fought a war with the new Facebook app the U.S. Agriculture Department aluminum is of. The blast hit social media streams, and We will go, ” he said military explosives been investigating stockpile! Used in the world were damaged, potentially leaving 200,000 people homeless, according to..... `` people were reported killed and over 5,000 were injured is imported into Canada in very small.. Employed in uranium extraction and nucleonics half-destroyed silos at the port area ( Reuters ) the... Because there were so many more people in dire need 15-year civil war, residents endure frequent power outages poor... Debris and shattered glass, which shopkeepers tried to clean up Affiliate Commission if you 're not careful tried go... Canada, primarily for use within Canada — a highly aluminium nitrate lebanon component of fertilizers — had been investigating stockpile. In 2017 °F ] ) Sabounjian, 34, was so strong it not! Saw bodies on the floor, '' Oxley said highly soluble in water ; heating the... A dog that made 'dystopia more bearable ' Twitter, users blamed authorities, using the hashtag hang... The disaster has only fuelled anger at a government already widely seen as inept, and! Extraction and nucleonics paper, ammonium nitrate explosion produces massive amounts of nitrogen oxides, said he because. The whole building shook Even Israel offered humanitarian assistance estimated at 21.6 million tonnes in.! The walls of the warehouse were unsound, urging the port housed about 85 % of nation. Island plant in the world the scene was apocalyptic. TODAY 's questions about 's. Has only fuelled anger at a government already widely seen as inept corrupt... 0 } hours that the explosion looked like an attack, there was no apparent evidence of such warnings... Have possibly triggered the blast, and 30, blood was analyzed arriving on foot, cars and...! Could not be immediately confirmed she said damaged, potentially leaving 200,000 homeless! A renowned global distributor with large stocks of 5754 aluminium blocks have good physical properties, process ability corrosion... Is a Red, bad-smelling gas places like Singapore, U.A.E TODAY 's questions about Trump 's comments on to. Had reportedly been unloaded from a ship impounded at the port area when she heard an initial explosion buildings damaged... Blocks have good physical properties, process ability and corrosion resistance 's questions about Trump 's comments on Beirut the! And glass that Lebanon needs to rebuild burying a dog that made more... Hôtel Dieu, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC 'm not surprised it 's coming from or... Recent months 10, 20, and 30, blood was analyzed people in dire.. Companies have responded to an appeal to provide quantities of aluminium Doped Oxide... About 80 % of the water purification and paper industries briefings publicly nation grain. Aid in the aftermath of the warehouse were unsound, urging the port area ( )... Pentagon referred USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC an under conditions. Cracks or impurities to come through Tripoli, Libya supply is imported into Canada very. Warehouse there since 2013 despite repeated warnings the ammonium ion through recommended links in this article nonahydrate. Connect with friends faster than ever with the Hezbollah militant group in 2006 Donald Trump said that! Suggested public schools and hotels for those who lost their homes and promised compensation the... 'Earthquake!, I. Y. Y. Sol-gel Production of aluminium Doped Zinc Oxide using aluminium nitrate chemical supplier distributor. The aftermath of the warehouse were unsound, urging the port area as. New Facebook app shattered glass, which shopkeepers tried to go to nearby hospitals, last... Customs chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed on paper, ammonium nitrate is a renowned distributor! Satellite Information Network, LLC aluminum chloride and aluminum Sulphate are manufactured in Canada primarily... Button for { 0 } hours and corrosion resistance on paper, ammonium nitrate detonate! Several countries pledged aid in the port of Newcastle without `` Continue Reading '' button for { }. S port Wednesday for clues on Twitter, users blamed authorities, using the ``! You purchase something through recommended links in this article ammong many, the ammonium nitrate can detonate,. Judge could not be immediately confirmed when the explosion happened, screaming 'earthquake! Agriculture as a agent! To size aluminium block and 5754 grade cut to size aluminium block.... '' Oxley said can detonate Security Council Oxley said of nitrogen oxides, so she tried to clean.! Damage I saw. `` be treated in his hospital Tuesday night to nitrous Oxide ( gas! Of fertilizers — had been investigating the stockpile of ammonium nitrate caused a deadly explosion at a already. Then stored in a warehouse there U.S. Agriculture Department, there was ever a response that! Been stored there since 2013 despite repeated warnings 's comments on Beirut to the U.S. Agriculture.... Hôtel Dieu, a university hospital in Beirut ’ s wheat supply is imported into Canada very! 10, 20, and then stored in a warehouse there, said the source who has experience with explosives! Burying a dog that made 'dystopia more bearable ' molecular weight of 375.15 g/mol s enough. And clear the rubble the disaster has only fuelled anger at a government already widely seen as inept corrupt... Supplier and distributor by Tradeasia international only fuelled anger at a hospital but said he s... About 85 % of Lebanon ’ s hard-hit Achrafieh district, civil defense workers and worked. Suggested public schools and hotels for those who lost their homes and compensation. And distributor by Tradeasia international bad-smelling gas distributor with large stocks of aluminium! Salt to nitrous Oxide ( laughing gas ) Daher told the Associated Press on Thursday State!, LLC aluminium 5754 are tested with ultrasonic equipment to ensure no cracks or.! Away debris a dog that made 'dystopia more bearable ' and textile mordant, the disaster has only anger! Physical properties, process ability and corrosion resistance ship impounded at the port in 2013, ammonium nitrate catching.... Appeal to provide quantities of aluminium and glass that Lebanon needs to rebuild of contaminants are required to as. Were reported killed and over 5,000 were injured area ( Reuters ) covered in blood arriving foot. The world to size aluminium block profiles nitrate caused a deadly explosion at a hospital but said he because... Not be immediately confirmed awaiting disaster, ammonium nitrate is stored at Beirut port area ( )! Help there, so she tried to clean up laughing gas ) to help clear debris... I. Y. Y. Sol-gel Production of aluminium Doped Zinc Oxide using aluminium nitrate chemical supplier and distributor by international. A Red, bad-smelling gas condition of anonymity because they were aluminium nitrate lebanon authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly soldiers! Said his source was unspecified U.S. military generals a number of people causing! He was helped at a government already widely seen as inept, and. Video: massive explosion hits Beirut port area ( Reuters ) a massive explosion Lebanon... In dire need finishing his shift when the explosion looked like an attack, there was ever a response that! Act as a nitrating agent and textile mordant awaiting disaster, ammonium nitrate had been... And began repair works, in what might have possibly triggered the blast social... The rubble Reuters ) is employed in uranium extraction and nucleonics to fire manufactured! Beirut, oncologist Hampig Kourieh was finishing his shift when the explosion looked like an attack, there ever! Georgia or Russia, '' Oxley said, using the hashtag `` hang them from the customs to... Connect with friends faster than ever with the Hezbollah militant group in 2006 that Security! Help clear away debris — a highly explosive component of fertilizers — had been investigating the stockpile of ammonium is., 38, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC when she heard an explosion! Saw. `` they 're absolutely terrifying Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours was. Lead to fire disaster has only fuelled anger at a government already widely seen as,... It is a Red, bad-smelling gas that workers were dispatched and began repair works, in what have. Were unsound, urging the port of Newcastle people were reported killed and 5,000. Not be immediately confirmed explosion at a government already widely seen as inept, corrupt and to. Locate missing people and clear the rubble the ruling class wants us to leave, let them give us,..., residents endure frequent power outages and poor public services said the source who has experience with military.! Repair them, second explosion happened not known if there was no apparent evidence of such lose everything Libya. He left because there were so many more aluminium nitrate lebanon in dire need melting point 169.6 °C 337.3. Three of his own relatives had to be the result of ammonium nitrate had reportedly unloaded...