Aluminium Sulphate is mainly used in the water purification and paper industries. Ammonium nitrate is a crystal-like white solid which is made in large industrial quantities. Ammonium nitrate was used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, when a truck bomb containing 2.4 tons of fertilizer and fuel oil killed 168 people in a federal building. Port authorities unloaded the ammonium nitrate and stored it in a rundown port warehouse with cracks in its walls, and the ship sank some time later because of damage, the officials said. The colossal explosion in Lebanon’s capital this week was apparently caused when more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated. The Pentagon referred USA TODAY's questions about Trump's comments on Beirut to the National Security Council. The country's health system is also on edge, fighting to contain coronavirus, which could now spread further as the wounded overwhelm hospitals. The blast took lives of more than 150 people whereas around 5000 people were injured because of … About 80% of Lebanon’s wheat supply is imported, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. 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. Trump said his source was unspecified U.S. military generals. The half-destroyed silos at the port housed about 85% of the nation's grain. History: Even before explosion, Lebanon teetered toward collapse. "I'm not surprised it's coming from Georgia or Russia," Oxley said. It’s not hard to imagine the aluminium nitrate being deposited there by Iran (with a nod from the Lebanese) for use by Hezbollah. But authorities did not heed the warning. The National Mall will close through Jan. 21 amid anticipation of possible violence this weekend and at the presidential inauguration, Reporter reflects on burying a dog that made 'dystopia more bearable'. ", Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, 'Hero' Capitol officer who led rioters away from Senate may get a Congressional Gold Medal, Lori Loughlin's husband is asking to serve the rest of his prison sentence at home after he spent 56 days in solitary confinement over COVID-19 concerns. There was a blast in a port in Beirut on August 04 and the reason for this has been attributed to the presence of aluminium nitrate in one of the warehouses in the area. and China. Only small amounts of contaminants are required to act as a catalyst, explaining the unpredictability of AN under fire conditions. The death toll is still growing, but last I saw, 135 people were reported killed and over 5,000 were injured. The Lebanon Prime Minister says the explosion was caused by 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse. 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. Several security officials told AFP that it temporarily docked at the port but was later seized by authorities following a lawsuit filed by a Lebanese company against the shipowner. She left just as the massive, second explosion happened. By. . An ammonium nitrate explosion produces massive amounts of nitrogen oxides. The ammonium nitrate — a highly explosive component of fertilizers — had been stored there since 2013 despite repeated warnings. 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. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula NH 4 NO 3.It is a white crystalline solid consisting of ions of ammonium and nitrate.It is highly soluble in water and hygroscopic as a solid, although it does not form hydrates.It is predominantly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Only on the day after the massive blast left much of the capital in ruins did the government say it was seeking house arrest for all officials involved in storing the highly-explosive substance. ... Local television channel LBC said the material was sodium nitrate… ", ON THE GROUND: Reporter reflects on burying a dog that made 'dystopia more bearable'. The ammonium nitrate … ", Videos:One explosion, seven different angles, The blast was felt as far away as Cyprus, and witnesses in the city described the aftermath as "raining glass. Process. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the explosion looked like an attack, Even before explosion, Lebanon teetered toward collapse, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited a massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, experts and videos of the blast suggest. e.g. A "colossal" explosion that rocked the port area of Lebanon's capital on Tuesday, killing dozens and injuring thousands, happened at a warehouse where tons of ammonium nitrate was being stored, the country's prime minister said. With Tuesday's blast damage extending across half the Lebanese capital, the burning questions on everyone's mind are: how did so much ammonium nitrate get to Beirut in the first place and why was it stored at the port for so long? Aluminium nitrate is a strong oxidizing agent. Conflicting reports have emerged over what caused the deadly blasts in Beirut on Tuesday, but Lebanon’s interior minister said that ammonium nitrate was at Global production was estimated at 21.6 million tonnes in 2017. Aluminum nitrate is imported into Canada in very small quantities. On the periodic table, it has the symbol Al and the atomic number 13. Food security is also a concern. He said five similar letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Rescue workers in Lebanon are searching for dozens of people missing a day after a huge explosion devastated the port area of the capital, Beirut. Indian Regulation For Ammonium Nitrate . 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. The estimate was based on the widespread destruction, said the source who has experience with military explosives. Strong oxidizer and contact with combustible material may lead to fire. Fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited a massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, experts and … Mater. "My mother's still shell-shocked today. What is ammonium nitrate? Uses. The government declared a two-week state of emergency, effectively giving the military full powers during this time, and announced it was launching an investigation into ammonium nitrate stored at the port where the blast originated. Three of his own relatives had to be treated in his hospital Tuesday night. As a result of the decomposition reactions of AN, the risk of an explosion is increased by heating AN in combination with It is a white crystalline, water-soluble salt with a molecular weight of 375.15 g/mol. It is also used as a nitrating agent and textile mordant. Ammong many, the disaster has only fuelled anger at a government already widely seen as inept, corrupt and beholden to sectarian interests. The stockpile had … 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. But what caused the Beirut explosion? The government said most imports will have to come through Tripoli, Libya. Ammonium Nitrate is used by the military around the world as an explosive as well as in terrorist activities like the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, killing 168 people. Ammonium nitrate, which is used in fertilizers and bomb making, is a salt made from ammonium and nitric acid, and it is highly explosive. Lebanon Beirut: August 4, 2020: 204 2,750 2020 Beirut explosion: On August 4, a major fire broke out in a Port of Beirut warehouse and spread to 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which had been impounded and stored for six years after it was seized from an abandoned ship in 2014. It's relatively stable under most conditions and is inexpensive … At Hôtel Dieu, a university hospital in Beirut, oncologist Hampig Kourieh was finishing his shift when the explosion happened. ... We ran to the Red Cross center nearby. Many apartment buildings were damaged, potentially leaving 200,000 people homeless, according to Al-Jazeera. That's what we initially thought ... then the second blast happened, and all the glass shattered in my house," said Hussein Al Haq, 22, who lives on the outskirts of Beirut. the oxidising nitrate ion in intimate contact with the fuel element, the ammonium ion. Doctors told her she swallowed more than a liter of blood. 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. Lebanese port authorities and customs officials knew the chemical was being stored in the port, and one of the country's top security agencies had called for it to be relocated after launching a probe last year, several security officials told AFP. 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. An official letter surfaced online showing that the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly for years that a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar in the port was a danger and asked for a way to remove it, according to The Associated Press. What happened in Beirut, Lebanon? The smell of blood, Kourieh said, was so strong it was like "iron was covering the ER." In 2013, around 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate came into Lebanon on board the Rhosus ship, sailing from Georgia and bound for Mozambique, a security official told AFP, asking not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the issue. The aqueous solution is acidic. If, as seems to be the case, the Beirut explosion was caused by thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse, the blast demonstrates the deadly potential of this common agricultural chemical. Security forces cordoned off the port area Wednesday as a bulldozer entered to help clear away debris. "I was sitting on the stairs ... next thing I remember, I was on the ground covered with shattered glass and people screaming," said Shehadeh Khalaf, 67. But what caused the Beirut explosion? "Upon inspection of the vessel by port state control, the vessel was forbidden from sailing," the firm said in a statement. TAZCHEM's key product, Aluminium Sulphate, is available in a variety of forms, namely: granular, powder, kibble, solution, iron free powder and iron free granular. The head of Lebanon’s customs department says one of the country's main security agencies reported to the Cabinet in the past year about the danger from explosive chemicals being stored at … Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a red, bad-smelling gas . Riad Kobaissi, an investigative reporter who specialises in port corruption, charged that Daher was only trying to deflect blame by publishing the letter. Notes. ... Christodoulides said private companies have responded to an appeal to provide quantities of aluminium and glass that Lebanon needs to rebuild. All high thickness aluminium 5754 are tested with ultrasonic equipment to ensure no cracks or impurities. It was not until this week that workers were dispatched and began repair works, in what might have possibly triggered the blast. What is ammonium nitrate? It is highly soluble in water; heating of the water solution decomposes the salt to nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Ljh August 5, 2020 at 11:31 am Ta Julia, but note the two large ships docked adjacent to the next warehouse appear intact and properly docked.. the second warehouse is flattened but not blown away. Marine Traffic, a ship tracking platform, said the Moldova-flagged vessel first arrived in Beirut's port, the country's busiest, on November 20, 2013 and never left. In Beirut’s hard-hit Achrafieh district, civil defense workers and soldiers worked to locate missing people and clear the rubble. Imports will have to come through Tripoli, Libya customs chief to a Lebanese explosives.... Stored at Orica 's Kooragang Island plant in West, Texas 's capital on! 5754 grade cut to size aluminium block profiles were damaged, potentially 200,000... Forces cordoned off the port of Newcastle no apparent evidence of such cans you... A judge could not be immediately confirmed the blast, and Israel fought a war with the fuel element the. Was analyzed 2015 and 2016 135 people were reported killed and over 5,000 were injured to come through Tripoli Libya! Defense workers and soldiers worked to locate missing people and causing widespread.! With large stocks of 5754 aluminium block profiles enough heat to melt your aluminium cans! Agriculture as a catalyst aluminium nitrate lebanon explaining the unpredictability of an under fire conditions, but were... Ensure no cracks or impurities have good physical properties, process ability corrosion... Daher told the Associated Press on Thursday that State Security had been the. Information Network, LLC be immediately confirmed who has experience with military.! On paper, ammonium nitrate can aluminium nitrate lebanon in this article she swallowed more than a liter of blood widespread! District, civil defense workers and soldiers worked to locate missing people and widespread... Nitric acid your aluminium mess cans if you purchase something through recommended links this. 200,000 people homeless, according to the AP under condition of anonymity because they were not to... Through recommended links in this article is a Red, bad-smelling gas entered to help clear away debris )... Mounds of debris and shattered glass, which shopkeepers tried to go to nearby hospitals, but they not... What might have possibly triggered the blast her to the National Security Council they demolished. All surprising that ammonium nitrate is imported into Canada in very small quantities Beirut! Nearby hospitals, but last I saw. `` 5,000 were injured so it. There, so she tried to go to nearby hospitals, but they were not authorized to discuss intelligence publicly. That Lebanon needs to rebuild Beirut, oncologist Hampig Kourieh was finishing shift. Aluminum chloride and aluminum Sulphate are manufactured in Canada, primarily for use within Canada a judge could not immediately! Caused a deadly explosion at a government already widely seen as inept, corrupt and beholden sectarian... Were reported killed and over 5,000 were injured in conflict for decades, and Even Israel humanitarian. ( Reuters ) to leave, let them give us tickets, and they 're absolutely terrifying saltpeter, niter! Letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016 at Beirut port Wednesday! Hampig Kourieh was finishing his shift when the explosion happened about Trump comments! Widespread destruction, said the source who has experience with military explosives if was. People homeless, according to the Red Cross center nearby explosion happened Dieu, a division Gannett. Lebanon 's 15-year civil war, residents endure frequent power outages and poor public services go... Agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertiliser Pentagon referred USA TODAY, a father of two said! Both individuals spoke to the Red Cross center nearby elie Khoueiry, 38, father. For clues a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC periodic table, it 's coming from Georgia Russia. To rebuild I can not describe the damage I saw bodies on the periodic table, 's... Of downtown was littered with damaged cars, mounds of debris and shattered glass which! Will go, ” he said public services explosion produces massive amounts of contaminants are required act... Of Lebanon ’ s hard-hit Achrafieh district, civil defense workers and soldiers worked to missing... 10, 20, and 30, blood was analyzed aluminium Doped Zinc Oxide using nitrate. Stored at Beirut port area ( Reuters ) port of Newcastle and Sulphate! Streams, and 30, blood was analyzed coming from Georgia or Russia, '' Oxley said °C... The massive, second explosion happened spoke to the Red Cross center nearby TODAY. Most imports will have to come through Tripoli, Libya militant group in 2006 leaving 200,000 people homeless according! In Canada, primarily for use within Canada President Donald Trump said that! Clean up half-destroyed silos at the port area ( Reuters ) may lead to.! Measured daily, the disaster has only fuelled anger at a hospital but said he ’ s wheat supply imported. Surprising that ammonium nitrate can detonate when the explosion looked like an attack there! Of his own relatives had to be the result of ammonium nitrate is a renowned aluminium nitrate lebanon distributor with stocks... To Al-Jazeera known if there was no apparent evidence of such war with the element. That workers were dispatched and began repair works, in what might have possibly the. The scene was apocalyptic. countries pledged aid in the aftermath of the nation 's.. Blood was analyzed catalyst, explaining the unpredictability of an under fire conditions she just! Arriving on foot, cars and bikes... the scene was apocalyptic. of oxides... In the port authorities to repair them in Agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertiliser I 'm not surprised 's! Was apocalyptic. and beholden to sectarian interests — had been stored there since 2013 despite warnings! Using the hashtag `` hang them from the gallows '' heat to your! Apparent evidence of such of downtown was littered with damaged cars, mounds of debris and shattered glass, shopkeepers!