2020 Beirut Explosion

Overview

2020 Beirut Explosion refers to a massive explosion that occurred in Beirut, Lebanon in early August 2020. Footage of the explosion, which showed an enormous mushroom cloud, widely circulated on social media. Lebanese authorities revealed that the blast may have been caused by 2,750 tons of unsecured ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse for six years. As of August 5th, more than 113 people have been reported as dead, 100 missing and 4,000 injured.

Background

On August 4th, 2020, an enormous explosion erupted in Beirut, Lebanon. Immediately after, footage of the blast began circulating on Twitter (shown below).

Developments

Shortly after, additional videos of the explosion began circulating (shown below).

That day, reporter Joyce Karam tweeted that two explosions had occurred in Beirut, with one at the Port of Beirut and one near the residence of Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri (shown below).

That day, reporter Heshmat Alavi tweeted a video of the explosion, stating that the Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan stated "a ship carrying fireworks exploded in Beirut Port" (shown below).

Also on August 4th, reporter Ragıp Soylu tweeted that the Director-General of Lebanese public security stated that the incident was not the result of fireworks, but was caused by the combustion of "a high-explosive material" (shown below).

Search Interest

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External References