© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

What We Know About The Explosion In Beirut

WAMU 88.5 | By Amanda Williams
Published August 5, 2020 at 4:09 PM CDT
An aerial view shows the massive damage done to Beirut port's grain silos (C) and the area around it after a mega-blast tore through the harbor in the heart of the Lebanese capital with the force of an earthquake, killing more than 100 people and injuring over 4,000.
An aerial view shows the massive damage done to Beirut port's grain silos (C) and the area around it after a mega-blast tore through the harbor in the heart of the Lebanese capital with the force of an earthquake, killing more than 100 people and injuring over 4,000.

A huge explosion buried much of Beirut, Lebanon, under rubble and dust on Tuesday afternoon. Now, an international rescue effort is underway as the death toll continues to rise.

The blast blew out windows for miles around the city’s port, leveling buildings and scattering debris. As of the time of writing, 135 Lebanese people died and more than 4,000 were injured.

Officials on the ground say the explosion was the result of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate igniting in a warehouse on the port. The ammonium nitrate had reportedly been sitting there since 2014.

How was the ammonium nitrate allowed to sit for so long? What are Lebanon’s next steps?

Copyright 2021 WAMU 88.5. To see more, visit WAMU 88.5.

Amanda Williams