Table of Contents
What really caused the explosion in Lebanon?
The initial explosion, at about 18:07 local time (15:07 UTC), likely triggered by the stored fireworks, sent up a large cloud of smoke and a crackle of bright firework flashes, and heavily damaged the structure of Warehouse 12 itself with a force equivalent to around 1.5-2.5 tons of TNT.
What caused the ammonium nitrate to explode?
Ammonium nitrate prills provide a much more concentrated supply of oxygen than the air around us. At high enough temperatures, however, ammonium nitrate can violently decompose on its own. This process creates gases including nitrogen oxides and water vapour. It is this rapid release of gases that causes an explosion.
Is ammonium nitrate explosive on its own?
Ammonium nitrate is not, on its own, an explosive, but it readily forms explosive mixtures with varying properties when combined with explosives such as TNT or with fuels like aluminum powder or fuel oil.
How harmful is ammonium nitrate?
Under normal handling conditions, ammonium nitrate is not harmful. However, inhalation of high concentrations of ammonium nitrate dust can cause respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms may include: coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, or even suffocation. Ammonium nitrate forms a mild acid when mixed with water.
How much explosive is ammonium nitrate?
The TNT equivalence of ammonium nitrate-based improvised explosives ranges from 25\% to 100\% depending on the factors referred to earlier, for example, packing density and degree of confinement.
What happened to the ammonium nitrate?
According to emails exchanged by Prokoshev and a Beirut-based lawyer Charbel Dagher, who represented the crew in Lebanon, the ammonium nitrate was unloaded in Beirut’s port by November 2014 and stored in a hangar.
What caused the explosion in Beirut?
A large stockpile of ammonium nitrate is believed to have caused the explosion in the Port of Beirut. An explosion at a warehouse in the Port of Beirut on Tuesday killed more than 100 people and left more than 4,000 people injured.
Did the MV Rhosus cause Beirut explosion?
Lebanese authorities have not named the MV Rhosus as the source of the substance that ultimately exploded in Beirut on Tuesday, but Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the devastating blast was caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate.
What is ammonium nitrate fertilizer?
In ordinary circumstances, ammonium nitrate is fertilizer. But when placed under stress of heat and pressure, it acts like a bomb. Videos captured the toll of the deadly blast in Beirut that killed dozens of people and injured thousands.