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Beirut blast

Beirut is the capital of Lebanon and also the largest city of the country. On a peninsula at the midpoint of the Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, Beirut is an important regional seaport. Recently, during the novel corona virus pandemic a deadly blast took place in Beirut. On 4th of August, 2020 at 6:08 pm a powerful explosion took place in the city. The blast which followed the fire at the port of Beirut, resulted 135 deaths , more than 80 missing and a large number of people left homeless. The roof of the warehouse caught alight and there was a large initial explosion, followed by a series of smaller blasts that some witnesses said sounded like fireworks going off. About 30 seconds later, there was a colossal explosion that sent a mushroom cloud into the air and a supersonic blastwave radiating through the city. That blastwave levelled buildings near the port and caused extensive damage over much of the rest of the capital, which is home to two million people. Hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, although some of them too were devastated due to the blast. The warehouse was completely eradicated and an adjacent grain silo was heavily damaged. The blast destroyed the immediate dockside area, creating a crater approximately 140 metres wide, which flooded with seawater. Satellite images highlight complete devastation in the port area, with one ship apparently blown out of the water and onto the dockside. The explosion's shockwave blew out windows at Beirut International Airport's passenger terminal, about 9km (5 miles) away from the port. The blast was also heard as far away as Cyprus, about 200km (125 miles) across the Mediterranean Sea, and seismologists at the United States Geological Survey said it was the equivalent of a 3.3-magnitude earthquake. . Kilometers from the port, balconies were knocked down, windows shattered, streets were covered with glass and bricks and lined with wrecked cars. The impact from the explosion shockwave was reportedly felt on the island of Cyprus 150 miles away also a civil defence official on the scene of the blast said his men had evacuated dozens to hospitals and that there were still bodies inside the port, many of them under debris. Scores of ambulances ferried the injured from the port area, where the wounded lay on the ground. The red cross has made an urgent call for blood donations while the head of Lebanese red cross told local TV there were hundreds of casualties although many were superficial wounds from broken glass. The president Michel Aoun said that blast was caused by 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate it is used as fertilizer and even as an explosive. The chemical was confiscated by the government from a stranded ship and was stored in the port without proper safety measures for six long years. This has lead to a blame game in the country among the official and the government. The head of custom authority and the head of port told that they had written the judiciary several times asking for the chemical to be sold to ensure the safety of the port but no action was taken for the above. The economic minister of the country says, “I think it is all because of the bad management.” Specialist at the University of the Sheffield in the UK estimate that the blast had about one tenth of the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The matter has been handed over to the specialists. Supreme defence council has vowed that found responsible will face maximum punishment. Even the netizens want a fair decision on the above.

Beirut explosion reason

On 4th of August, 2020 in the evening a deadly took place which created a shock wave that shattered glasses for miles in Beirut the capital of Lebanon. It is said that the explosion happened because of ammonium nitrate kept in the port from last six years without any precautionary measures. Multiple reports suggest that a huge tremor-causing explosion was preceded by a fire, possibly of firecrackers. Newly surfaced documents show that at least 10 times, over the past six years, authorities from Lebanon's customs, military, security agencies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut. But, the government did not heed attention to these documents reported earlier. Large quantities of stored ammonium nitrate are regarded as a major fire hazard, with multiple reported cases across the world. Big stockpiles of ammonium nitrate can explode in two possible ways. One is by some type of detonation or initiation because the storage comes in contact with explosive mixture or an outside source of energy. Second, the blast can result due to a fire which starts into the ammonium nitrate storage because of the heat generated due to the oxidation process at large scale. Primary observations by the experts point serious lack of maintaining safety norms at the explosive storage of such chemical. There are also questions about how ammonium nitrate and another source of fire were present so close to each other, which caused the widespread destruction. Lebanese President, Michel Aoun said "there are two possible causes of the explosion that killed nearly 150 people - either negligence or 'external intervention' by a missile or bomb." Aoun said the Lebanese government's investigation into the cause of the explosion is concentrating on 20 people. Port officials have been put under house arrest. The explosion caused a deadly effect resulting 135 deaths, 5,000 injuries, more than 100 not found and approx 300,000 were left homeless. Due to this the government has announced an emergency for the next two weeks in the country. The case is under investigation as to know who triggered the explosion.

beirut death toll

The full horror and scale of the damage caused by massive explosion in Lebanon's capital killed at least 100 people and injured thousands more. The blast triggered a huge mushroom cloud, flattering much of the city's port, damaging buildings, and littering debri's everywhere. A warehouse storing thousands of tons of unsecured highly volatile material has emerged as a possible source of explosion. Lebanon's health minister said that hundreds of people have been reportedly missing and death toll will likely increase. Following the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday (4Aug) the death toll has risen to at least 350 and the number of injured to 5000. International aid flights began to arrive, as Lebanon's leaders struggled to deal with the aftermath of the devastating blast, paralysed by an economic crisis and facing a public where many already blame chronic mismanagement for the disaster. The residents of Beirut are stunned, sleepless and stoic as emerged from the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion searching for missing relatives, bandaging their wounds and retrieving the left out of their houses. Lebanon's cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital city and handed control of security in the capital to the military. Officials said they expect the death toll to rise further as emergency workers dig through the wreckage to search for survivors. Beirut's city governor, Marwan Abboud said up to 300,000 people have lost their homes and authorities are working on providing them with food, water and shelter. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: "We are witnessing a real catastrophe." He declared a national day of mourning soon after the blast occurred. He said those responsible for the "catastrophe" would be held to account. President Michel Aoun called for "urgent" defence council talk in the aftermath of the explosion. EU Commissioner for Crisis Management said, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is now coordinating the urgent deployment of over a 100 highly trained firefighters, with vehicles, dogs and equipment, specialised in search and rescue in urban contexts. "They will work with the Lebanese authorities to save lives on the ground."

Beirut ammonium nitrate

Tha countdown of this explosion started years back, when a troubled russian leased cargo ship made an unscheduled stop at the city's port. An indebted vessel crewed by sullen transport. The chemical "ammonium nitrate" was purchased by international Bank of Mozambique for making explosives it was being transported via leased russian ship. The people did not have money to pay for passage through the Suez canal. Thus, at the ship in Beirut port, after some legal procedure the vessel was kept in the port as they did not have money for further voyage. Later it was heard that the chemical will be auctioned but it never happened. All this ended on Tuesday in a giant explosion. It devastated one of the middle East most foundly regarded cities Beirut. Ammonium nitrate is a white crystalline solid, which is soluble in water. It consists of ions of ammonium and nitrate. It is made in large industrial quantities through the chemical reaction of nitric oxide and ammonia. It is primarily used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertiliser, but it is also used to create commercial explosives for mining and construction. Ammonium nitrate is made all over the world and is relatively cheap to buy. But storing it can be a problem, and it has been associated with serious industrial accidents in the past Ammonium nitrate is an industrial chemical commonly used in fertilizers and as an explosive for quarrying and mining. It is an oxidizer considered relatively safe if uncontaminated. But it is extremely dangerous if contaminated, mixed with fuel or stored unsafely. A large quantity of ammonium nitrate exposed to intense heat can trigger an explosion. Storing the chemical near large fuel tanks in large quantities and in a poorly-ventilated facility can cause a massive blast. 'This is probably up there among the biggest non-nuclear explosions of all time,' says Roland Alford, managing director of a company that specializes in the disposal of explosive ordnance. A common chemical ingredient of agricultural fertilisers, the nitrogen rich compound is also the main component of the explosive composition known as ANFO — ammonium nitrate fuel oil. Ammonium Nitrate alone is not ANFO. ANFO is premixed Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (Diesel, Kerosine, fermented molasses,) powdered aluminum is sometimes added to the batches used for military grade explosives to speed up the detonation. On its own, ammonium nitrate is relatively safe to handle. However, if large amount of this material lying around for a long time, it will begin to decay. Over time it will absorb bit of moisture and eventually turn into an enormous rock. This makes it more dangerous because if fire reaches it, the chemical reaction will be intense. When ammonium nitrate explodes, it can release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides and ammonia gas. The nitrogen oxide, which is often associated with air pollution. Ammonium nitrate has been used by armies around the world as an explosive. It has also been used in several terrorist acts. However, for combinations to explode, triggers like detonators are required. Many Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used by terrorists around the world have ANFO as the main explosive, triggered by primary explosives like RDX or TNT. In the majority of terror attacks in India, including those in Pulwama, Varanasi, Malegaon, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, ammonium nitrate has been used along with initiator explosives like RDX.

Beirut coronavirus cases

The virus was confirmed to have reached Lebanon in February 2020. Lebanon recorded its first case of coronavirus on February 21 and following the entry of several new cases coming. Thus, preventive measures were taken such as avoiding public venues, like resorts and theaters. Post this, the closure of schools, universities, and nurseries was extended to March 14. However, numbers steadily increased until a national lockdown was announced on March 15, supplemented by an overnight curfew 11 days later. As of 10 June 2020, some of the hardest-hit cities and towns in the country include Beirut and its metropolitan area, Bcharre in the north of the country and Majdel Anjar in the Beqaa Governorate. Lebanon recorded 3582 cases so far with 47 deaths and 1671 recoveries. Lebanon have been badly hit by the corona virus pandemic, then the economic crisis and now the nuclear like explosion. After the catastrophic explosion that shook the city of Beirut on August 4, Lebanon now recorded highest 255 fresh Covid-19 cases in a day. COVID-19 testing has been halted across Beirut following Tuesday’s deadly explosion. The blast struck the country amid an increasingly dangerous second wave of the virus, and experts are worried. Russia sent 5 Emergency Situations Ministry planes to Beirut to assist in eliminating the consequences of the explosion. A mobile hospital with doctors and a laboratory was also sent to Lebanon to detect the coronavirus. Thus, Lebanon has confirmed a RECORD 255 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. The infection rate stands at 4,604 in the country, since the outbreak first began in February. The pandemic has heightened the woes of a crisis-hit country swaying from a massive explosion that killed more than 130 people, wounded at least 5,000 and left an estimated 300,000 homeless. Many people forgot their face masks as they packed up into vehicles, riding with strangers on the move to hospitals, which were also damaged by the explosion. This put a further strain on the nation's health system which was already running short on personal protective equipment and struggling with more than 5200 cases of COVID 19. Health Minister, Hamad Hassan said "Due to the emergency and panic, I am worried that treating the wounded in hospitals and the loss of personal protection equipment supplies may have an impact on the number of coronavirus patients in the next 10 days." Lebanon's hospitals were, for the first time in months, overwhelmed with cases other than COVID-19, with people severly wounded post explosion. Since the explosion, people have crowded into the hardest hit districts to scrutinize their damaged homes and businesses, or as volunteers in cleanup efforts. The blast forced authorities to suspend a lockdown that was supposed to last until August 10. It is still too soon to know what impact the explosion will have on Lebanon’s coronavirus outbreak. Though testing, contact tracing and the hospitalization of severely ill patients continue, according to the World Health Organization, health workers and aid agencies are sounding the alarm. Beirut explosions stoke fears of coronavirus spike as hospitals are overwhelmed. The city is decimated with thousands of residents left homeless, a medical system already strained from coronavirus and up to $5 billion worth of damage.

Beirut demographics

Any country's or city's demographics play's a very important role in it's planning and development. It is very strange to come across the fact that the country Lebanon's capital Beirut also known as largest city of the country has not taken a formal census or population count since 1930's. Because of that the exact population count of the country varies depending on the sources. No recent population census has been conducted, but 2007 estimates ranged from slightly more than 1 million to 2.2 million as part of Greater Beirut which makes it the third largest city in the Levant region and the fifteenth - largestin the Arab world. Beirut's 2020 population is now estimated at 2,424,425. In 1950, the population of Beirut was 322,360. Beirut has grown by 195,720 since 2015, which represents a 1.70% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World urbanisation projects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Beirut, which typically includes Beirut's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas. Though, recent estimates put the population at around 361,000 with the broader metro area being home to over 2.2 million residents. On a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coast, Beirut is an important regional seaport. It is one of the most religious and diverse cities in the Middle East. There is a total of 18 recognized religions within the area, include four Muslim sects, twelve Christian sects, and a Jewish sect. The city was relatively well blended until the civil war when segregation occurred. The eastern side of the city is mainly Christian, while the western side has a Sunni Muslim majority. However, in recent years, religious groups are becoming more integrated.

Beirut government

The capital of Lebanon, Beirut which faced a deadly blast on Tuesday 4th August 2020 is going through its worst phase after the explosion that took place. The country was already suffering a major economic downturn before the devastating explosion and UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis unless food and medical aid are delivered swiftly. The Lebanese Parliament, all the Ministries and most of the public administrations, embassies and consulates are there. Beirut Governorate is one of eight mohafazat. Reports quickly emerged that Lebanese customs officials had requested the disposal of the highly combustible materials. Public outrage erupted in Beirut, after reports emerged that the Lebanese government had known about the explosive materials being stored at the port that fueled the deadly catastrophe, though their disposal had been requested on multiple occasions. Protestors marched towards the government building shouting to change the president. As they call the blast the result of negligence of the government. Ater the blast France president visited the city and promised to help them. But he even stated that he won't give a blank check to such a government whose citizens doesn't have faith on them. The country was already going through economic crises due to corona virus disease. Many lost jobs, undisputed deaths due to covid-19, with edible shortage for the public. This was worsen by the deadly blast. Because of the early condition and addition to that this blast have not even left them in a condition to rebuild their home. The tragedy has triggered widespread outrage in Lebanon, where people see it symbolically, the persistent government corruption and neglect, calling for the resignation of the country’s top politicians. Lebanese Prime Minister, Hassan Diab and his cabinet resigned after the deadly explosion under pressure from protests over long term government neglect and corruption that have sought to overturn the country's political elite and devastated large parts of central Beirut. Mr. Diab said, "I set out to combat corruption, but I discovered that corruption is bigger than the state, I declare today the resignation of this government. God bless Lebanon." He will go to the presidential palace to "hand over the resignation in the name of all the ministers." Several key ministers and at least nine members of parliament announced their resignations. However, the Cabinet members will continue to serve in a caretaker role until a new government is formed. Mr. Diab's government lasted less than eight months. It was formed in January after the former prime minister, Saad Hariri, stepped aside in late 2019 under pressure from protests that demanded political reform and an end to corruption.

Beirut economic crisis

The city Beirut of lebanon is going through a tough time from a long time. The country is going through a economic crisis, financial crisis and government crisis. Lebanon's economy was already in crisis then the blast hit Beirut. Soon after the explosion, there is crisis amid food shortages, economic struggle. The massive explosion swayed the city Beirut with 135 people dead and 5,000 injured. However, the number of deaths is expected to raise. Moreover, the blast displaced 300,000 people. In the past year, a breakdown in the country's banking system and inflation had triggered mass protests. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the World Bank projected that 45% of people in Lebanon would be below the poverty line in 2020. The situation such that middle class and poor people are not able to afford important households. It can also be called as a health crisis. The International Monetary Fund last forecast that Lebanon's economy - beset by soaring food prices, a collapsing currency and Covid-19 - would contract by 12% this year. That is far worse than the 4.7% average drop in output forecast for the Middle East and central Asia. The country defaulted on some of its debt in March. Lebanon had been looking to secure a $10 billion loan from the IMF, but talks stalled last month. Few months ago as an economic crisis caused the country's capital to collapse and sore. The country's pound or lira has lost about 85% of its value. It is said to be a result of government corruption and financial mismanagement. This lead to unemployment and poverty. There have been many protests against the political elites due to the breakdown of banking system and sky rocking in the country. All this paused after the lockdown imposed due to COVID 19. The mass protest again gained pace after the explosion took place on 4th August,2020 in Beirut port. As people claim it to be a result of complete negligence and mismanagement of the government. As the explosion took place because of ammonium nitrate which is highly combustible, even after knowing all this and receiving letter regarding removing it, and essential precautionary measures to the same the government and ministry did nothing. This period has made rich richer, middle class a poor and the poors to a detitue. The nation's government debt levels have for years been among the highest in the world, as were current account deficits. Lebanon produces little and depends heavily on imports, including most of its food. It was borrowing heavily to pay for these imports. The collapse of Lebanon's financial system is symptomatic of a wider failure of governance. The explosion declared Beirut, a "disaster city", has piled more pressure on its economy. The incident destroyed dozens of buildings. The major part of the city is swayed. The port where the blast occurred is the nation's main maritime hub, and 60% of the country's imports pass through it. With the Lebanese currency in free fall and unemployment above 30 per cent, it is predicted more than half the population will be living in poverty by the end of the year.

Beirut Hariri Trial

On 14th of February, 2005 the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri was killed when a car bomb exploded as his convoy passed in a street in central Beirut. After fifteen and a half years, a UN-backed tribunal has tried four members of Hezbollah in their absence, on charges of allegedly planning and organising this attack. The incident took place 15years ago in Beirut one of the city of lebanon, when Rafik Hariri was executed along with 21 others. By a suicide bomber in an explosive packed van, behind which Hariri car was being driven. This blast devasted the capital of Lebanon roiled the middle East. The case gained pace in the year 2009 and the entire trial was based of phone records. The Lebanon's suspected the blast was done by Syria as they always interfere in their matter. After the investigation they took out warrant against four. Tribunal faces doubts as Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah refused to hand over the defendants. The four defendants were: Salim Ayyash, 56, is accused of leading the team that carried out the bombing, which involved a truck packed full of explosives that detonated near Hariri’s motorcade on February 14, 2005. Assad Sabra, 43, and Hussein Oneissi, 46, asent a fake video to news channel claiming responsibility on behalf of a made-up group. Hassan Habib Merhi, 54, is accused of general involvement in the plot. The alleged mastermind of the bombing, Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine, is believed to have died while fighting with the Syrian government in May 2016. And many more alligations were imposed upon them. They will be punished with a sentence of life imprisonment if convicted. The current prime minister said that the circumstances brought about by the pandemic, Lebanon should avoid riots triggered by the court's verdict. "Confronting the conflicts is a priority." Salim Jamil Ayyash, Hassan Habib Merhi, Assad Hassan Sabra and Hussein Hassan Oneissi are accused of allegedly conspiring to commit the terrorist attack that killed Hariri and 21 others. Although the verdict was scheduled to be announced in May, it had to be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The attack was claimed by a previously unknown fundamentalist group called Victory of the Jihad in Greater Syria. However, the accusation believes that it could be a false claim, so they initiated the corresponding proceedings. This 'in absentia' trial is the first such trial since the Nuremberg trials after World War II.

Beirut famous for

Beirut the capital and the largest city in Lebanon has its own uniqueness and importance. The city is also known as Paris of middle East as percolotes the same old city captivating french. The reason behind this resemblance is that, lebanon was under French control from 1920 to 1943. In the words of the famous poet Mahmoud Darwish, "A city that cannot be known by its smell is unreliable..... A smell is a memory and a setting sun." The tangy smell of a manoushe, where zaatar and zeit collide to create the most fragrant of smells, always remind one of Beirut. Despite being one of the smallest countries in the middle east and all of Aisa. Lebanon debatably has the most diverse culture. Its multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi- lingual. All the places to visit in Beirut city share history and character with some of the most exotic cities in the world- Italy, Morocco, Egypt, and Greece. Beirut is the capital and the largest city of Lebanon. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, having been inhabited for more than 5,000 years. Beirut sits on a peninsula extending westward into the Mediterranean Sea. It is flanked by the Lebanon Mountains and has taken on a triangular shape, largely influenced by its situation between and two hills. The coast is diverse, with rocky beaches, sandy shores and cliffs situated beside one another. The country has a great history and culture as it has witnessed ravages of time and war. Which one of the main reason of having museums in the city. It is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited city which makes a whole lot of history. This can even be seen as many nondescript mid-century residence and houses make its architectural pearls stand out even more in context. It is also known for its historical buildings and archeology. The wide avenues and boulevards built by French colonial rulers match the glorious mosque complexes that were built by the Ottomans and the Mamluks, and the ancient ruins of Roman temples and bathhouse top it all. Regarding food it is said they the Lebanese dispora has awoken the hunger for hummus and tabbouleh all around the world. The country is one of the best producers of wine and till date the city is considered as the best terrain for viticulture (cultivation of grapes for wine). The food scene in Beirut is incredible, albeit expensive Typical Lebanese dishes like hummus, fattoush, za’atar salad and falafel are famous here. Since, Beirut being an international city, virtually every other cuisine is available as well. It is a place where years of history have been showcased. From the large ruins of ancient Rome to Ksara wine, there is a lot Beirut is known for along with a long list of places to visit in Beirut.