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On 4 August, a massive blast devastated Beirut
A huge store of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse is thought to have been the cause of the explosion
But who knew about the dangerous cargo and who is to blame for the destruction it unleashed?
[Thread]
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
A huge store of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse is thought to have been the cause of the explosion
But who knew about the dangerous cargo and who is to blame for the destruction it unleashed?
[Thread]
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
More than 200 people dead, thousands injured, the heart of a city destroyed
And at the centre of it a warehouse full of nearly 3,000 tonnes of an explosive chemical ammonium nitrate
Where did it come from?
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
And at the centre of it a warehouse full of nearly 3,000 tonnes of an explosive chemical ammonium nitrate
Where did it come from?
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The ammonium nitrate arrived in Beirut on the cargo ship, MV Rhosus, en route to deliver its explosive cargo to Mozambique
The ship was in poor shape - in July 2013 inspectors had found 14 separate deficiencies, from corroded decks to poor fire safety
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The ship was in poor shape - in July 2013 inspectors had found 14 separate deficiencies, from corroded decks to poor fire safety
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The Rhosus’ captain says they made a stop in Beirut to pick up cargo
On 4 February 2014, it was seized by the Lebanese authorities for $100,000 of unpaid bills
Many of the crew were unable to leave the ship, leaving them stranded onboard in the port
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
On 4 February 2014, it was seized by the Lebanese authorities for $100,000 of unpaid bills
Many of the crew were unable to leave the ship, leaving them stranded onboard in the port
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
At the time the trade website FleetMon described the Rhosus as “a floating bomb”
They said “port authorities don’t want to be left with an abandoned vessel... loaded with dangerous cargo”
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
They said “port authorities don’t want to be left with an abandoned vessel... loaded with dangerous cargo”
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The crew were allowed to leave Beirut in September 2014
At some point - it’s not clear when - the ship’s dangerous cargo was moved to a warehouse in the docks
Abandoned by its owner and its crew, and taking on water, the Rhosus eventually sank
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
At some point - it’s not clear when - the ship’s dangerous cargo was moved to a warehouse in the docks
Abandoned by its owner and its crew, and taking on water, the Rhosus eventually sank
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
Between 2014 and 2017 customs officials sent five letters to a Judge of Urgent Matters asking for permission to re-export or sell the ammonium nitrate
The letters show that they were aware of the material in store, and knew that it was dangerous
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The letters show that they were aware of the material in store, and knew that it was dangerous
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
However Riyad Qobaissi, an investigative journalist, says that the letters did not follow the right procedures
The judge had given permission for the cargo to be offloaded but that it had to be stored in an appropriate, safe place, not in the port
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The judge had given permission for the cargo to be offloaded but that it had to be stored in an appropriate, safe place, not in the port
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
Qobassi says the judge had delegated responsibility to the ministry who had delegated to customs
He says they had the authority to sell the ammonium nitrate, or that they could have destroyed it but: “All they did was send those letters”
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
He says they had the authority to sell the ammonium nitrate, or that they could have destroyed it but: “All they did was send those letters”
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
The ammonium nitrate was now on the docks, but it took something to detonate it
We don’t yet know what caused the fire but fireworks were stored close by and some have suggested welding work on the day of the explosion could have started the fire
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
We don’t yet know what caused the fire but fireworks were stored close by and some have suggested welding work on the day of the explosion could have started the fire
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
In recent history Lebanon has suffered financial crises, assassinations, Covid & now this explosion
Lebanese people want someone held to account
But with sectarian interests protecting officials who will pay for the failures that led to this tragedy?
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
Lebanese people want someone held to account
But with sectarian interests protecting officials who will pay for the failures that led to this tragedy?
http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
Read more about the deadly explosion, and how almost 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate ended up in a portside warehouse: http://bbc.in/31HuVqE
