2020 Beirut explosion
{{Short description|Ammonium nitrate explosion in Lebanon}}
{{Redirect|Beirut explosion|other explosions in Beirut|Beirut bombings (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2020 Beirut explosion
| image = Damages after 2020 Beirut explosions 1.jpg
| caption = Aftermath of the explosion, with the destroyed grain silos to the left and the flooded blast crater to the right.
| map = {{infobox mapframe|id=Q98073118|geomask=Q3820|zoom=13|frame-coordinates={{coord|qid=Q98073118}}}}
| time = 18:08:18 EEST
| timezone = UTC+03:00
| duration =
| date = {{start date|2020|08|04|df=y}}
| venue = Port of Beirut
| location = Beirut, Lebanon
| coordinates = {{Coord|33|54|05|N|35|31|09|E|region:LB_type:event|display=inline,title}}
| cause = Fire
| type = Ammonium nitrate explosion
| reported deaths = 218
| reported injuries = 7,000+
| reported property damage = US$15+ billion
| displaced = ~300,000
}}
On 4 August 2020, a major explosion occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, triggered by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. The chemical, confiscated in 2014 from the cargo ship {{MV|Rhosus}} and stored at the Port of Beirut without adequate safety measures for six years, detonated after a fire broke out in a nearby warehouse. The explosion resulted in at least 218 fatalities, 7,000 injuries, and approximately 300,000 displaced individuals, alongside property damage estimated at US$15 billion. The blast released energy comparable to 1.1 kilotons of TNT, ranking it among the most powerful non-nuclear explosions ever recorded and the largest single detonation of ammonium nitrate.{{Cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Keehoon |last2=Pasyanos |first2=Michael E. |date=2022-12-16 |title=Yield Estimation of the August 2020 Beirut Explosion by Using Physics-Based Propagation Simulations of Regional Infrasound |journal=Geophysical Research Letters |language=en |volume=49 |issue=23 |bibcode=2022GeoRL..4901118K |doi=10.1029/2022GL101118 |issn=0094-8276 |doi-access=free}}
The explosion generated a seismic event measuring 3.3 in magnitude, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. Its effects were felt in Lebanon and neighboring regions, including Syria, Israel, and Cyprus, over {{cvt|240|km|mi}} away. Scientific studies noted that the shockwave temporarily disrupted Earth's ionosphere.{{Cite journal |last1=Kundu |first1=Bhaskar |last2=Senapati |first2=Batakrushna |last3=Matsushita |first3=Ai |last4=Heki |first4=Kosuke |date=2021-02-02 |title=Atmospheric wave energy of the 2020 August 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, from ionospheric disturbances |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=2793 |bibcode=2021NatSR..11.2793K |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-82355-5 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=7854621 |pmid=33531554 |doi-access=free}}{{Cite web |last=McRae |first=Mike |date=2021-03-19 |title=The Tragic Beirut Explosion Was So Violent, It Disturbed Earth's Ionosphere |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/last-year-s-blast-in-lebanon-was-so-violent-it-literally-shook-the-roof-of-the-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205052028/https://www.sciencealert.com/last-year-s-blast-in-lebanon-was-so-violent-it-literally-shook-the-roof-of-the-world |archive-date=5 December 2023 |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=ScienceAlert |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ozdemir |first=Derya |date=2021-03-18 |title=The Beirut Explosion's Atmospheric Wave Shook the Ionosphere |url=https://interestingengineering.com/science/the-beirut-explosions-atmospheric-wave-shook-the-ionosphere |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220175637/https://interestingengineering.com/science/the-beirut-explosions-atmospheric-wave-shook-the-ionosphere |archive-date=20 December 2023 |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=interestingengineering.com |language=en-US}} Adjacent grain silos at the Port of Beirut sustained major damage. Portions of the silos collapsed in July and August 2022 following fires caused by remaining grain stocks.
The Lebanese government declared a two-week state of emergency in response to the disaster. Protests, which had been ongoing since 2019, grew in scale, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his cabinet on 10 August 2020. Claims surfaced suggesting Hezbollah's possible connection to the explosion, citing unverified reports of weapons stored at the site. Hezbollah denied the allegations but participated in demonstrations opposing the official investigation.{{Cite web |last=Gavlak |first=Dale |date=2021-10-18 |title=Hezbollah Rattled by Beirut Port Blast Probe |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/hezbollah-rattled-by-port-blast-probe/6274313.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218144602/https://www.voanews.com/a/hezbollah-rattled-by-port-blast-probe/6274313.html |archive-date=18 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Qiblawi |first=Tamara |date=2021-09-23 |title=Hezbollah threatened top judge probing Beirut port blast, source says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/middleeast/hezbollah-beirut-blast-probe-threat-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011073940/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/middleeast/hezbollah-beirut-blast-probe-threat-intl/index.html |archive-date=11 October 2021 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Daou |first=Marc |date=2021-10-19 |title=Hezbollah's campaign against Beirut blast judge paralyses Lebanon's government |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20211019-hezbollah-s-campaign-against-beirut-blast-judge-paralyses-lebanon-s-government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218144659/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20211019-hezbollah-s-campaign-against-beirut-blast-judge-paralyses-lebanon-s-government |archive-date=18 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=France 24 |language=en}}
Background
{{image frame
| caption = The explosion occurred behind the grain silos in this view.
| content =
{{superimpose
| base = North of Beirut Port.jpg
| base_width = 350px
| float = Locator Dot2.gif
| float_width = 15px
| float_caption = Explosion site
| x = 163
| y = 20
}}
}}
The economy of Lebanon was in a state of crisis before the explosion, with the government having defaulted on debt, the Lebanese pound plunging, and a poverty rate that had risen past 50%. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had overwhelmed many of the country's hospitals, several of which were already short of medical supplies and unable to pay staff due to the financial crisis.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/crisis-hits-lebanons-hospitals-best-mideast-71913336 |title=Crisis hits Lebanon's hospitals, among the best in Mideast |author=Sarah El Deeb |date=5 July 2020 |website=ABC News |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801035130/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/crisis-hits-lebanons-hospitals-best-mideast-71913336 |url-status=live}} The morning before the explosion, the head of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, which served as the main COVID-19 medical facility in Lebanon, warned that it was approaching full capacity.{{cite news |last=Qiblawi |first=Tamara |date=5 August 2020 |title=Beirut will never be the same again |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/05/middleeast/beirut-qiblawi-analysis-intl/index.html |access-date=5 August 2020 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404034944/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/05/middleeast/beirut-qiblawi-analysis-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Trew |first1=Bel |title='The worst thing I've ever seen': Doctors treat wounded in rubble of destroyed hospitals after Beirut explosions |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/beirut-explosion-lebanon-hospitals-where-death-toll-what-happened-a9654376.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805092405/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/beirut-explosion-lebanon-hospitals-where-death-toll-what-happened-a9654376.html |archive-date=5 August 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |website=The Independent |access-date=6 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020}}
The government-owned Port of Beirut serves as the main maritime entry point into Lebanon and a vital piece of infrastructure for the importation of scarce goods.{{cite web |last1=Azhari |first1=Timour |title=Hundreds wounded as huge blast rips through Lebanon's Beirut |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/large-explosion-rocks-lebanon-capital-beirut-200804153400078.html |website=Al Jazeera|access-date=4 August 2020|date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804163013/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/large-explosion-rocks-lebanon-capital-beirut-200804153400078.html|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Grzeszczak |first1=Jocelyn |title=What is the Port of Beirut? Everything We Know About the Site Following Deadly Explosion |url=https://www.newsweek.com/what-port-beirut-everything-we-know-about-site-following-deadly-explosion-1522830 |website=Newsweek |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805210708/https://www.newsweek.com/what-port-beirut-everything-we-know-about-site-following-deadly-explosion-1522830 |url-status=live }} The Beirut Naval Base is a part of the port. The port included four basins, sixteen quays, twelve warehouses, a large container terminal,{{cite web|url=http://www.portdebeyrouth.com/index.php/en/|title=Home|website=www.portdebeyrouth.com|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809042811/http://www.portdebeyrouth.com/index.php/en/|url-status=live}} and a grain elevator with a total capacity of 120,000 tonnes that served as a strategic reserve of cereals for the country. The grain elevator was built in the 1960s as part of an expansion plan advanced by Palestinian banker Yousef Beidas.{{cite news|last=Oweis|first=Khaled Yacoub|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/beirut-explosion-legendary-palestinian-banker-envisaged-silos-that-shielded-his-adopted-city-from-more-destruction-1.1061359|title=Beirut explosion: Legendary Palestinian banker envisaged silos that shielded his adopted city from more destruction|date=10 August 2020|work=The National|access-date=6 September 2020|archive-date=4 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904225941/https://www.thenational.ae/world/beirut-explosion-legendary-palestinian-banker-envisaged-silos-that-shielded-his-adopted-city-from-more-destruction-1.1061359|url-status=live}}
= Iran's involvement =
Behnam Shahriyari is a senior official within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), specifically associated with Unit 190, a division responsible for clandestine arms transfers and logistical operations.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-17 |title=Liner Transport Kish |url=https://www.ifmat.org/07/17/liner-transport-kish/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=IFMAT |language=en-US}} He has been implicated in arms smuggling, money laundering, and oil trafficking on behalf of the IRGC Quds Force. Reports indicate that since 2011, the Iranian shipping company Liner Transport Kish (LTK), managed by Shahriyari and Mojtaba Mousavi Tabar, delivered significant quantities of ammonium nitrate to Hezbollah.{{Cite web |title=Behnam Shahriyari {{!}} Iran Watch |url=https://www.iranwatch.org/iranian-entities/behnam-shahriyari |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=www.iranwatch.org}}{{Cite web |last=Atalayar |date=2020-08-20 |title=Iran sold hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate to Hezbollah, according to intelligence documents |url=https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/iran-sold-hundreds-tons-ammonium-nitrate-hezbollah-according-intelligence-documents/20200820145857147139.html |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Atalayar |language=en}} Between 2011 and 2014, multiple shipments were sent to Beirut, including a consignment transported aboard the MV Rhosus vessel in August 2013, carrying approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. This shipment was seized and stored in the port, where it remained until its detonation in 2020, causing widespread casualties and destruction.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title="شهريار الفيلق" - أحمد الأيوبي |url=https://www.nidaalwatan.com/article/306711-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%82 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=نداء الوطن |language=en}}
=MV ''Rhosus''=
{{Main|MV Rhosus}}
On 27 September 2013, the Moldovan-flagged cargo ship {{MV|Rhosus}} set sail from Batumi, Georgia, to Beira, Mozambique, carrying {{convert|2,750|t|ST|lk=on|abbr=off|sigfig=3}} of ammonium nitrate.{{cite journal |url=https://shiparrested.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/The-Arrest-News-11th-issue.pdf#page=3 |title=m/v Rhosus – Arrest and Personal Freedom of the Crew |date=October 2015 |number=11 |journal=The Arrest News |access-date=5 August 2020 |first1=Charbel |last1=Dagher |first2=Christine |last2=Maksoud |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805004609/https://shiparrested.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/The-Arrest-News-11th-issue.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53683082|title=How ship's deadly cargo ended up at Beirut port|date=6 August 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204075050/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53683082|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/06/how-did-2-750-tonnes-of-ammonium-nitrate-make-it-to-the-port-of-beirut-thecube|title=How did so much ammonium nitrate make it to Port of Beirut? | #TheCube|first=Matthew|last=Holroyd|date=6 August 2020|website=euronews|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204074944/https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/06/how-did-2-750-tonnes-of-ammonium-nitrate-make-it-to-the-port-of-beirut-thecube|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-53690582?pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:b181045d-1090-48c3-b6d2-c5d2db9c0bfa |title=Russian captain recalls journey that led to deadly cargo being impounded |work=BBC News |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204075029/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-53690582?pinned_post_locator=urn%3Aasset%3Ab181045d-1090-48c3-b6d2-c5d2db9c0bfa |url-status=live }} Rhosus was owned by a company based in Panama but was regarded by the captain as under the de facto ownership of Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin.{{cite news |first1=Maria |last1=Vasilyeva |first2=Lisa |last2=Barrington |first3=Jonathan |last3=Saul |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-ship-insight/who-owned-the-chemicals-that-blew-up-beirut-no-one-will-say-idUSKCN2571CP |title=Who owned the chemicals that blew up Beirut? No one will say |publisher=Reuters |date=11 August 2020 |access-date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204075007/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-ship-insight/who-owned-the-chemicals-that-blew-up-beirut-no-one-will-say-idUSKCN2571CP |url-status=live }} The shipment had been ordered by an African explosives manufacturing company for mining in Mozambique.{{cite news |last1=Polglase |first1=Katie |title=Ammonium nitrate that exploded in Beirut bought for mining, Mozambican firm says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/07/middleeast/beirut-lebanon-ammonium-nitrate-explosion/index.html |agency=CNN |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073613/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/07/middleeast/beirut-lebanon-ammonium-nitrate-explosion/index.html |url-status=live }} However, reporting by Der Spiegel has found that it was not Grechushkin who owned Rhosus, but rather Cypriot businessman Charalambos Manoli, who maintained a relationship with the bank used by Hezbollah in Lebanon.{{Cite news|author1=Fritz Schaap |author2=Christoph Reuter |author3=Maximilian Popp |title=Shipowner Linked to Hezbollah's Bank: Questions Swirl around the Cargo that Destroyed Beirut |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ties-to-hezbollah-questions-swirl-around-the-cargo-that-destroyed-beirut-a-668b79f4-c4f1-49da-a764-172cc17f162b|access-date=29 August 2020|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=21 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073629/https://www.spiegel.de/consent-a-?targetUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Finternational%2Fworld%2Fties-to-hezbollah-questions-swirl-around-the-cargo-that-destroyed-beirut-a-668b79f4-c4f1-49da-a764-172cc17f162b|url-status=live}}
On 21 November 2013, the ship made port in Beirut.{{r|rhosus.fleetmon}}{{r|rhosus.bbc}}{{r|rhosus.euronews}} Some sources said it was forced to port due to mechanical issues and possibly engine problems,{{Cite news|last=Jørgensen|first=Lars Bach|date=5 August 2020|title=Ekspert forklarer, hvad der sandsynligvis skete i Beirut|language=da|trans-title=Expert explains what probably happened in Beirut|work=TV 2|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/udland/2020-08-05-ekspert-forklarer-hvad-der-sandsynligvis-skete-i-beirut|access-date=5 August 2020|quote=The large amount of potentially dangerous fertilizer has been there since 2014, when the Moldavian ship Rhosus had to port due to engine problems.|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806010057/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/udland/2020-08-05-ekspert-forklarer-hvad-der-sandsynligvis-skete-i-beirut|url-status=live}}{{r|rhosus.fleetmon}} while other sources claimed the owner did not have sufficient funds to pay tolls for the Suez Canal and attempted to take on a shipment of heavy machinery in Beirut.{{cite news |author= |date=6 August 2020 |title=De waarschuwingen in Beiroet waren er, maar de gedoemde lading bleef liggen |trans-title=Warnings in Beirut were there, but the doomed shipment was left in storage |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2343120-de-waarschuwingen-in-beiroet-waren-er-maar-de-gedoemde-lading-bleef-liggen.html |language=NL |work=NOS |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073611/https://nos.nl/collectie/13846/artikel/2343120-de-waarschuwingen-in-beiroet-waren-er-maar-de-gedoemde-lading-bleef-liggen |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/captain-astonished-that-his-ship-delivered-beirut-explosive/2020/08/06/2ad8f824-d825-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html |title=Captain astonished that his ship delivered Beirut explosive |author=Daria Litvinova |newspaper=Washington Post |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807023640/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/captain-astonished-that-his-ship-delivered-beirut-explosive/2020/08/06/2ad8f824-d825-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html |url-status=live }} The heavy machinery was stacked on top of the doors to the cargo space containing the ammonium nitrate, causing the doors to buckle, which damaged the ship.{{cite news |last1=Vasilyeva |first1=Maria |title=Beirut's accidental cargo: how an unscheduled port visit led to disaster |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-ship/beiruts-accidental-cargo-how-an-unscheduled-port-visit-led-to-disaster-idUSKCN25225M |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=Reuters |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073558/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-ship/beiruts-accidental-cargo-how-an-unscheduled-port-visit-led-to-disaster-idUSKCN25225M |url-status=live }} After inspection by port state control, Rhosus was deemed unseaworthy, and was forbidden to set sail.{{r|rhosus.fleetmon}}{{r|rhosus.tv2}} Eight Ukrainians and one or two Russians were aboard,{{cite news |url=https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/first-pictures-emerge-of-a-russian-businessman-whose-ammonium-nitrate-cargo-detonated-in-the-port-of-beirut |title=First pictures emerge of a Russian man whose ammonium nitrate cargo detonated in the port of Beirut |work=The Siberian Times |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806110415/https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/first-pictures-emerge-of-a-russian-businessman-whose-ammonium-nitrate-cargo-detonated-in-the-port-of-beirut/ |url-status=live }} and with the help of the Ukrainian consul, five Ukrainians were repatriated, leaving four crew members to care for the ship.{{r|rhosus.newsmaker}}{{cite web|title=First pictures emerge of a Russian man whose ammonium nitrate cargo detonated in the port of Beirut|url=https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/first-pictures-emerge-of-a-russian-businessman-whose-ammonium-nitrate-cargo-detonated-in-the-port-of-beirut/|access-date=6 August 2020|website=siberiantimes.com|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073608/https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/first-pictures-emerge-of-a-russian-businessman-whose-ammonium-nitrate-cargo-detonated-in-the-port-of-beirut/|url-status=live}}
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 450
| image1 = MV Rhosus Beirut.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = The port of Beirut in 2017, with Rhosus moored on the right. Livestock carriers Abou Karim{{nbsp}}I and Abou Karim{{nbsp}}III, both severely damaged in the explosions, are in the center, the latter largely obscuring the former.
| image2 = Port of Beirut 15-8-2020.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = The Port of Beirut eleven days after the disaster. The large ship on the right is the French amphibious assault ship Tonnerre, which arrived in the port on 13 August to provide food, construction materials, medical supplies, and personnel.{{cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20200814-french-defence-minister-visits-beirut-to-inspect-military-aid-ship-thunder-lebanon-explosion-port|title=French defence minister visits Beirut to inspect military aid ship 'Thunder'|date=14 August 2020|website=RFI|access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073527/https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20200814-french-defence-minister-visits-beirut-to-inspect-military-aid-ship-thunder-lebanon-explosion-port|url-status=live}}
}}
Grechushkin reportedly went bankrupt,{{efn|The captain, Boris Prokoshev, wrote that Grechushkin had told him he had gone bankrupt, but noted that he did not believe Grechushkin.{{r|siberiantimes}}}} and after the charterers lost interest in the cargo he abandoned Rhosus.{{cite news|url=https://newsmaker.md/ro/presa-substanta-care-a-provocat-explozia-din-beirut-a-fost-adusa-de-nava-unui-rus-sub-pavilionul-r-moldova|title=Substanța care a provocat explozia din Beirut a fost adusă de nava unui rus sub pavilionul R. Moldova|first=Stela|last=Untila|newspaper=NewsMaker|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|language=ro|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805205705/https://newsmaker.md/ro/presa-substanta-care-a-provocat-explozia-din-beirut-a-fost-adusa-de-nava-unui-rus-sub-pavilionul-r-moldova|url-status=live}} The ship soon ran out of provisions, and the remaining crew were unable to disembark due to immigration restrictions. According to Lloyd's List, port state control seized Rhosus on 4{{nbsp}}February 2014 due to US$100,000 in unpaid bills.{{Cite news|title=Beirut blast: The Inferno and the Mystery Ship|work=BBC News |date=8 August 2020|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/x2iutcqf1g/beirut-blast|url-status=live|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809144104/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/x2iutcqf1g/beirut-blast|archive-date=9 August 2020}} The ship had accrued port fees and been fined for refusing cargo.{{Cite news|title=Captain Boris Prokoshev on Why Rhosus was in Beirut|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-53701648/|url-status=live|date=7 August 2020|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809154306/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-53701648/beirut-explosion-captain-boris-prokoshev-on-why-rhosus-was-in-beirut|archive-date=9 August 2020}}{{r|reuters.disaster}} Lawyers argued for the crew's repatriation on compassionate grounds because of the danger posed by the cargo still aboard the ship, and an Urgent Matters judge in Beirut allowed them to return home. They had been forced to live aboard the ship for about a year.{{r|rhosus.shiparrested}}{{r|rhosus.newsmaker}}
By order of the judge, Rhosus{{'}}s cargo was brought ashore in 2014 and placed in Warehouse 12 at the port, where it remained for the next six years.{{r|rhosus.shiparrested}}{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/officials-knew-danger-beirut-port-years-200805032416684.html|title=Beirut blast: Tracing the explosives that tore the capital apart|first=Timour|last=Azhari|journal=Al Jazeera|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805205657/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/officials-knew-danger-beirut-port-years-200805032416684.html|url-status=live}}*{{cite web |last1=Voytenko |first1=Mikhail |title=Crew kept hostages on a floating bomb – m/v Rhosus, Beirut |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2014/4194/crew-kept-hostages-floating-bomb-mv-rhosus-beirut/ |website=fleetmon |date=23 July 2014 |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804213142/https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2014/4194/crew-kept-hostages-floating-bomb-mv-rhosus-beirut/ |archive-date=4 August 2020 |url-status=live }}
- {{cite web |title=Rhosus |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/vessels/rhosus_8630344_46589/ |website=Fleetmon [vessel tracker database] |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807010659/https://www.fleetmon.com/vessels/rhosus_8630344_46589/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/toll-expected-to-rise-in-blast-that-shook-beirut-killing-78-and-injuring-thousands-idUSKCN25107B|access-date=5 August 2020|date=5 August 2020|work=Reuters|title=Toll expected to rise in blast that shook Beirut, killing 78 and injuring thousands|last1=Nakhoul|first1=Samia|last2=Francis|first2=Ellen|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805092034/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/toll-expected-to-rise-in-blast-that-shook-beirut-killing-78-and-injuring-thousands-idUSKCN25107B|url-status=live}} Rhosus sank in the harbor in February 2018.{{Cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|date=7 August 2020|title=Ship Cited in Beirut Blast Hasn't Sailed in 7 Years. We Found It|first=Christoph|last=Koettl|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/07/world/middleeast/lebanon-explosion-ship.html|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809012700/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/07/world/middleeast/lebanon-explosion-ship.html|url-status=live}}
Lebanese customs officials had sent letters to judges requesting a resolution to the issue of the confiscated cargo, proposing that the ammonium nitrate be either exported, given to the Lebanese Armed Forces or sold to the private Lebanese Explosives Company.{{efn|Ammonium nitrate has a long history of industrial disasters globally, and thus has been gradually phased out over concerns for misuse and safety.{{cite web |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2013/10/05/ammonium-nitrate-sold-by-ton-as-u.s.-regulation-is-stymied |title=Ammonium nitrate sold by ton as U.S. regulation is stymied |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041244/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2013/10/05/ammonium-nitrate-sold-by-ton-as-u.s.-regulation-is-stymied |archive-date=28 February 2018 |publisher=The Dallas Morning News |access-date=5 August 2020}}}}{{r|rhosus.jazeera}} Letters had been sent on 27 June and 5 December 2014, 6 May 2015, 20 May and 13 October 2016, and 27 October 2017.{{r|rhosus.jazeera}}{{cite web|date=6 August 2020|title=العقيد جوزيف سكاف طالب بإبعاد الحمولة عن مرفأ بيروت نظراً لخطورتها|url=https://www.lebanontimes.news/archives/154897|website=Lebanon Times|language=ar|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073526/https://www.lebanontimes.news/archives/154897|url-status=live}} One of the letters sent in 2016 noted that judges had not replied to previous requests, and pleaded:{{r|rhosus.jazeera}}
{{blockquote|In view of the serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions, we reaffirm our request to please request the marine agency to re-export these goods immediately to preserve the safety of the port and those working in it, or to look into agreeing to sell this amount{{nbsp}}...}}
Each time, the requests were procedurally declined due to errors by the customs officials. However, the officials persisted in making the same requests instead of correcting the errors. Legal experts also said that the customs officials could have confiscated the material unilaterally.
Explosion
=Fire and first explosion=
Around 17:45 local time (14:45 UTC) on 4 August 2020, a fire broke out in Warehouse 12 at the Port of Beirut.{{cite news |last1=El Deeb |first1=Sarah |last2=Mroue |first2=Bassem |title=In a horrific instant, a burst of power that ravaged Beirut |url=https://apnews.com/7a104960789d9b25e89a889fbbc125e7 |work=Associated Press |access-date=6 August 2020 |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073607/https://apnews.com/7a104960789d9b25e89a889fbbc125e7 |url-status=live }} Warehouse 12, which was waterside and adjacent to the grain elevator, stored the ammonium nitrate that had been confiscated from Rhosus alongside a stash of fireworks.{{cite web |title=Fireworks were stored in same Beirut warehouse as ammonium nitrate – report |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/fireworks-were-stored-in-same-beirut-warehouse-as-ammonium-nitrate-report/ |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=9 August 2020 |date=8 August 2020 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810070340/https://www.timesofisrael.com/fireworks-were-stored-in-same-beirut-warehouse-as-ammonium-nitrate-report/ |url-status=live }} Around 17:55 local time (14:55 UTC), a team of nine firefighters and one paramedic, known as Platoon 5, was dispatched to fight the fire.{{cite news |title=How Beirut firefighters were sent into disaster |first=Timour |last=Azhari |date=August 2020 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/beirut-firefighters-site-deadly-explosion-200807130452562.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |access-date=8 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807202833/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/beirut-firefighters-site-deadly-explosion-200807130452562.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Kohnavard|first1=Nafiseh|title=Beirut explosion: The story of Platoon Five|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-53797998|access-date=30 August 2020|date=16 August 2020|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830094742/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-53797998|url-status=live}} On arrival the fire crew reported over the radio that there was "something wrong" as the fire was immense and produced "a crazy sound."
The initial explosion, at about 18:07 local time (15:07 UTC), likely triggered by the stored fireworks, created a large plume of grey smoke and bright firework flashes, and heavily damaged Warehouse 12 with a force equivalent to around 1.5–2.5 tons of TNT.{{cite news |title=Beirut explosion: What we know so far |date=6 August 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493 |newspaper=BBC News |access-date=8 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806025910/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493 |url-status=live }}{{r|Hubbard}}
=Second explosion=
File:Beirut Explosion Moment of blast captured in a BBC interview - BBC URDU.webm, head of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy,{{cite news |url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/beirut-explosion-bbc-journalist-maryam-toumi-flung-to-ground-live-interview-during-lebanon-blast/006dfab8-e540-4722-8f77-d4c1ffc4eee8 |title=Beirut blast: BBC journalist films live interview as Lebanon explosion rocks building she's inside of |first=Brandon |last=Livesay |date=5 August 2020 |work=9News |access-date=28 July 2024}} by Moroccan journalist Maryam Toumi, who sustained minor injuries, from the BBC Arabic office in Beirut, which was damaged.]]
File:دخان انفجار بيروت انتشر في كل سماء لبنان.webm
{{external media | float = right | width = | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkIYjNGiaoA 4K footage of Lebanon explosion shows Beirut Port blast unfolding in slow motion], Al Arabiya }}
The second explosion, 33 to 35 seconds later, was far more substantial{{Cite news |last1=Qiblawi |first1=Tamara |last2=Mankarious |first2=Sarah-Grace |last3=Thompson |first3=Nick |title=From sea to mountain: How a massive explosion left a trail of destruction across Beirut and beyond |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/08/middleeast/beirut-visual-guide/index.html |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020 |quote=The first explosion at 6:07{{nbsp}}p.m. is followed by a second massive blast 33 seconds later. |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807095754/https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/08/middleeast/beirut-visual-guide/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/video/beirut-explosion-footage.html|title=What Footage of the Beirut Explosion Tells Us About the Blast|first1=Evan|last1=Hill|first2=Stella|last2=Cooper|first3=Christiaan|last3=Triebert|first4=Christoph|last4=Koettl|first5=Drew|last5=Jordan|first6=Dmitriy|last6=Khavin|first7=John|last7=Ismay|newspaper=The New York Times|date=5 August 2020|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808145537/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/video/beirut-explosion-footage.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Massive Beirut Port Blast Kills Over 100, Leaves Thousands Wounded|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/massive-explosion-shakes-lebanese-capital-buildings-near-beirut-port-damaged-1.9046138|access-date=4 August 2020|date=4 August 2020 |last1=Khoury|first1=Jack|last2=Landau|first2=Noa|website=Haaretz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805065959/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/massive-explosion-shakes-lebanese-capital-buildings-near-beirut-port-damaged-1.9046138|archive-date=5 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=M 3.3 Explosion – 1 km ENE of Beirut, Lebanon|website=Earthquake Hazards Program|publisher=U.S. Geological Survey|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000b9bx/executive|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140548/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000b9bx/executive|url-status=live}} and felt in northern Israel and in Cyprus, {{convert|240|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} away.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2020/08/06/beirut-port-explosion-triggers-magnitude-3-earthquake/|title=Beirut Explosion Generates Seismic Waves Equivalent Of A Magnitude 3.3 Earthquake|first=David|last=Bressan|website=Forbes|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807195237/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2020/08/06/beirut-port-explosion-triggers-magnitude-3-earthquake/|url-status=live}}{{r|BBC-53656220}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-53656328|title=Beirut explosion updates: Massive blast rocks Lebanese capital|work=BBC News|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804175009/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-53656328|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=4 August 2020|title=Like an earthquake': Huge explosion rips through Beirut captured on video|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/two-explosions-rocks-lebanon-s-beirut-dozens-wounded-videos-surface-online/story-wkCeUkZGBqxMPVtrneAnNI.html|access-date=4 August 2020|publisher=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805062135/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/two-explosions-rocks-lebanon-s-beirut-dozens-wounded-videos-surface-online/story-wkCeUkZGBqxMPVtrneAnNI.html|archive-date=5 August 2020|url-status=live}} It rocked central Beirut and created a large red-orange cloud, briefly ringed by a white condensation cloud.{{Cite news|title=Here's what the videos of the Beirut blast tell us about the explosion|url=https://www.boston.com/news/world-news/2020/08/04/beirut-explosion-videos|access-date=4 August 2020|newspaper=Washington Post|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140553/https://www.boston.com/news/world-news/2020/08/04/beirut-explosion-videos|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Pickrell|first=Ryan|title=Shocking videos capture massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/videos-capture-massive-explosion-that-rocked-lebanons-beirut-2020-8|access-date=4 August 2020|website=Business Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805024832/https://www.businessinsider.com/videos-capture-massive-explosion-that-rocked-lebanons-beirut-2020-8|archive-date=5 August 2020|url-status=live}} The red-orange color of the smoke from the second explosion was caused by nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of ammonium nitrate decomposition.{{cite web|url=https://www.compoundchem.com/2020/08/05/ammonium-nitrate/|title=What is ammonium nitrate and what happens when it explodes?|date=5 August 2020|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811204844/https://www.compoundchem.com/2020/08/05/ammonium-nitrate/|url-status=live}}
By the next morning, the main fire that led to the explosion had been extinguished.{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/05/899299228/satellite-images-show-aftermath-of-beirut-blast|title=Satellite Images Show Aftermath Of Beirut Blast|newspaper=NPR|date=5 August 2020|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115104834/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/05/899299228/satellite-images-show-aftermath-of-beirut-blast|url-status=live|last1=Brumfiel|first1=Geoff}}
=Yield=
File:193 2020 970 Fig3 HTML.webp
Despite inefficient transmission of the shock waves into the ground,{{efn|Because the explosion occurred on the earth's surface, the seismic waves generated by the blast are not as strong as they would have been had the equivalent amount of energy been released from underground sources.{{r|auto1}}}} the United States Geological Survey measured the event as a 3.3 local magnitude earthquake,{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl#h_da222628bccbcd0736247682b65a8675 |title=Beirut explosion rocks Lebanon's capital city |website=CNN |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073529/https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/h_da222628bccbcd0736247682b65a8675 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Qiblawi |first=Tamara |title=Beirut's residents describe apocalyptic scenes after explosion rocks city |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/middleeast/resident-beirut-blast-scenes-intl/index.html |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140610/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/middleeast/resident-beirut-blast-scenes-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} while the Jordan Seismological Observatory reported that it was equivalent to a 4.5 {{M|l|link=yes}} earthquake.{{Cite news |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1714831/middle-east |title=Devastating: the terrible aftermath of the Beirut explosion |website=Arab News |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073617/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1714831/middle-east |url-status=live }} A study of seismic signatures of the explosion by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources in Germany produced a yield estimate between 0.5 and 1.1 kt of TNT.{{cite news |title=Beirut explosion causes strong shock waves – Infrasonic, hydroacoustic and seismic signals registered and investigated by BGR |url=https://www.seismologie.bgr.de/sdac/erdbeben/big_quakes/beirut_200804_eng.html |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=21 August 2020 |archive-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818153211/http://www.seismologie.bgr.de/sdac/erdbeben/big_quakes/beirut_200804_eng.html |url-status=live }} Experts from the Blast and Impact Research Group at the University of Sheffield estimated that the explosion was one of the largest artificial non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.{{cite web|date=5 August 2020|title=Beirut explosion 'one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/beirut-explosion-one-of-largest-blasts-history-a4517646.html|access-date=10 August 2020|website=Evening Standard|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808173504/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/beirut-explosion-one-of-largest-blasts-history-a4517646.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |author= |title=Port officials under house arrest after Beirut blast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53670839 |work=BBC News |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117051336/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53670839 |url-status=live }} Later, they were able to quantitatively support this rapid estimate as they compiled more distance versus time of arrival data as new videos of the explosion became available on social media platforms. Their study found that the best estimate and upper bound prediction of the yield of the explosion are 0.5 and 1.12 kt of TNT, respectively.{{Cite journal|last1=Rigby|first1=S. E.|last2=Lodge|first2=T. J.|last3=Alotaibi|first3=S.|last4=Barr|first4=A. D.|last5=Clarke|first5=S. D.|last6=Langdon|first6=G. S.|author6-link=Genevieve Langdon|last7=Tyas|first7=A.|date=22 September 2020|title=Preliminary yield estimation of the 2020 Beirut explosion using video footage from social media|journal=Shock Waves|volume=30|issue=6|pages=671–675|language=en|doi=10.1007/s00193-020-00970-z|bibcode=2020ShWav..30..671R|issn=1432-2153|doi-access=free}} This is equal to around 1 GWh of energy.{{cite news |last1=Amos |first1=Jonathan |last2=Rincon |first2=Paul |title=Beirut blast was 'historically' powerful |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54420033 |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=BBC News |date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005225539/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54420033 |url-status=live }} Another study used several videos of the explosion to describe the evolution of the fireball size and estimated the Beirut explosion yield to be 0.6 ± 0.3 kt of TNT.{{cite journal
| last1 = Diaz
| first1 = Jorge
| year = 2021
| title = Explosion analysis from images: Trinity and Beirut
| journal = European Journal of Physics
| volume = 42
| issue = 3
| page = 035803
| doi = 10.1088/1361-6404/abe131
| arxiv = 2009.05674
| bibcode = 2021EJPh...42c5803D
| s2cid = 221655034
| issn=0143-0807 }} The Beirut explosion was similar to explosions of large amounts of ammonium nitrate in Texas City, United States, in 1947; in Toulouse, France, in 2001; and Tianjin, China, in 2015.{{cite news |title=What we know about the massive chemical explosion in Beirut |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/08/what-we-know-about-the-massive-chemical-explosion-in-beirut/ |work=Ars Technica |date=5 May 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806060643/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/08/what-we-know-about-the-massive-chemical-explosion-in-beirut/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Expert reaction to Beirut explosion |url=https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-beirut-explosion/ |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073610/https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-beirut-explosion/ |url-status=live }}{{efn|As a point of comparison, the Halifax Explosion in 1917 (which was not caused by ammonium nitrate) was the world's largest non-nuclear explosion, releasing the equivalent energy of roughly 2.9 kilotons of TNT (12,000 GJ).{{Cite book|last1=Ruffman|first1=Alan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eiN0PAAACAAJ|title=Ground Zero: A Reassessment of the 1917 Explosion in Halifax Harbour|last2=Howell|first2=Colin D|publisher=Co-published by Nimbus Pub. and Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary's University|year=1994|isbn=1-55109-095-3|location=Halifax, N.S.|page=276|oclc=31518913|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073608/https://books.google.com/books?id=eiN0PAAACAAJ|url-status=live}}}}
An independent estimate by the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization based on infrasonic data obtained an explosive yield equivalent to 0.5–1.1 kt of TNT,{{cite web|url=https://www.seismologie.bgr.de/sdac/erdbeben/big_quakes/beirut_200804_eng.html|title=BGR/Seismologie/Erdbeben Aktuell|website=www.seismologie.bgr.de|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818153211/http://www.seismologie.bgr.de/sdac/erdbeben/big_quakes/beirut_200804_eng.html|url-status=live}} making it the sixth-largest accidental artificial non-nuclear explosion in human history.
Aouad et al. (2021) derived the kinematics of the fireball from publicly available videos. Considering a time of separation between the fireball and the shock wave at about 170 milliseconds, they concluded a TNT equivalent mass of 0.2 ± 0.08 kt of TNT or 520 ± 200 tons of ammonium nitrate at a distance of 130 meters from the explosion center.{{cite journal |last1=Aouad |first1=C. J. |last2=Chemissany |first2=W. |last3=Mazzali |first3=P. |last4=Temsah |first4=Y. |last5=Jahami |first5=A. |title=Beirut explosion: TNT equivalence from the fireball evolution in the first 170 milliseconds |journal=Shock Waves |date=4 October 2021 |volume=31 |issue=8 |pages=813–827 |doi=10.1007/s00193-021-01031-9 |arxiv=2010.13537 |bibcode=2021ShWav..31..813A |doi-access=free }} This result is consistent with Dewey 2021 that suggests that the Beirut explosion TNT equivalence is an increasing function of distance.{{cite journal |last1=Dewey |first1=J. M. |title=The TNT and ANFO equivalences of the Beirut explosion |journal=Shock Waves |date=January 2021 |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=95–99 |doi=10.1007/s00193-021-00992-1 |bibcode=2021ShWav..31...95D |s2cid=232414589 }}
Temsah et al. 2021 estimated the magnitude of the explosion. The research was based on a structural engineering approach with numerical non-linear finite element modeling of the grain elevator facing Warehouse 12 where the explosion took place. The numerical study model was based on silos data (geometrical and material properties) and the use of the Conventional Weapons Effects Blast Loading (CONWEP), and the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) methods to generate the blast load. The analysis results proved that an amount equivalent to 564 t of AN (or 220 t of TNT) was adequate to generate damages similar to those resulting from the explosion. This amount represents 20.5% of the original stored amount (2750 t). As for the state of the grain elevator, results showed it was structurally unstable and should be demolished or properly strengthened.{{cite journal |last1=Temsah |first1=Yehya |last2=Jahami |first2=Ali |last3=Aouad |first3=Charles |title=Silos structural response to blast loading |journal=Engineering Structures |date=September 2021 |volume=243 |page=112671 |doi=10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112671 |bibcode=2021EngSt.24312671T |s2cid=236289453 |url=https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15968/8/silos%20structural%20response%20to%20blast%20loading.pdf |access-date=17 June 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704213039/https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15968/8/silos%20structural%20response%20to%20blast%20loading.pdf |url-status=live }}
Kim and Pasyanos (2021) put the yield between 0.62–1.25 kt, with the best and most likely estimate at 0.9 kt of TNT, with a likely depth of 2 m.
It has been suggested that not all of the ammonium nitrate was still in the warehouse at the time of the explosion. Some experts estimated that there were only 700 to 1,000 tonnes remaining out of the original 2,750, with the rest having been removed or stolen since 2014. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated there were about 500 tonnes left, a number which was later cited by Prime Minister Hassan Diab. However, there were also two experts who concluded that most or all of the ammonium nitrate exploded.
=Cause=
Warehouses at the Port of Beirut were used to store explosives and chemicals including nitrates, which are common components of fertilizers and explosives.{{cite web|title=Massive blast in Beirut kills at least 10, sending shockwaves across city|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/massive-blast-in-beirut-kills-at-10-dead-sending-shockwaves-across-city-idUSKCN25021M|work=Reuters|access-date=4 August 2020|date=4 August 2020|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819072650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/massive-blast-in-beirut-kills-at-10-dead-sending-shockwaves-across-city-idUSKCN25021M|url-status=live}}{{efn|Other hazardous materials stored at the port included hydrofluoric acid oxidizer, benzoyl peroxide, calcium hypochlorite, picric acid, oils and several unknown chemicals.{{cite web |url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ma034_hazardous_materials_found_at_port_post_blast-300dpi.pdf |title=Lebanon: Beirut Explosion. Hazardous materials found at port (Imagery post event) |website=ReliefWeb |date=13 August 2020 |access-date=30 August 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028144839/https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ma034_hazardous_materials_found_at_port_post_blast-300dpi.pdf |url-status=live }} On 3 September 2020, the Lebanese Army announced that they found an additional 4.35 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in the customs' "Detention Port", outside the seaport near entrance number 9.{{cite web |url=https://www.the961.com/lebanese-army-ammonium-nitrate-beirut-port/ |title=Lebanese Army Just Found Over 4 Tons Of Explosive Material Near Beirut Port |website=the961.com |date=4 September 2020 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922210505/https://www.the961.com/lebanese-army-ammonium-nitrate-beirut-port/ |url-status=live }}}} The General Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, said the ammonium nitrate confiscated from Rhosus had exploded.{{cite web|last=Gadzo|first=Mersiha|title=Dozens killed, thousands wounded in Beirut blast: Live updates|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/huge-explosion-rocks-lebanon-capital-beirut-live-updates-200804163620414.html|access-date=4 August 2020|date=4 August 2020|website=Al Jazeera|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804210957/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/huge-explosion-rocks-lebanon-capital-beirut-live-updates-200804163620414.html|url-status=live}}{{r|rhosus.tv2}} The {{convert|2,750|t|ST|abbr=off|sigfig=3}} of ammonium nitrate was the equivalent to around {{convert|1155|tTNT|abbr=off|lk=in}}.{{cite news |last=Ismay |first=John |date=5 August 2020 |title=What Is Ammonium Nitrate, Blamed in the Beirut Explosion? |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-ammonium-nitrate.html |access-date=7 August 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806162641/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-ammonium-nitrate.html |url-status=live }} The failure to remove the materials from the warehouse and relocate them was attributed to mismanagement of the port, corruption of the government, and inaction of the flag registry's country and ship owner.
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) reported that, according to attendees of a Higher Defence Council briefing, the fire was ignited by workers welding a door at a warehouse.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/what-caused-the-beirut-explosion-everything-we-know-so-far-1.1059236|title=What caused the Beirut explosion? Everything we know so far|first=Liz|last=Cookman|date=5 August 2020|work=The National|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073626/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/what-caused-the-beirut-explosion-everything-we-know-so-far-1.1059236|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/beirut-blast-warnings-of-extreme-danger-ignored-by-lebanon-officials-about-stored-ammonium-nitrate/story-Sd2AA6YZmJ9PwbPZhUd6SK.html|title=Beirut blast: Warnings of 'extreme danger' ignored by Lebanon officials about stored ammonium nitrate|date=5 August 2020|first=Arpan|last=Rai|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073617/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/beirut-blast-warnings-of-extreme-danger-ignored-by-lebanon-officials-about-stored-ammonium-nitrate/story-Sd2AA6YZmJ9PwbPZhUd6SK.html|url-status=live}} A former port worker said that "[t]here were 30 to 40 nylon bags of fireworks inside warehouse 12" that he had personally seen.{{cite news |title=Beirut explosion: former port worker says fireworks stored in hangar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/beirut-explosion-former-port-worker-says-fireworks-stored-in-hangar |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113111615/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/beirut-explosion-former-port-worker-says-fireworks-stored-in-hangar |url-status=live }} An American diplomatic cable on 7 August said it "remains unclear ... whether fireworks, ammunition or something else stored next to the ammonium nitrate might have been involved" in worsening the warehouse fire and igniting the ammonium nitrate.{{cite news |title=U.S. Contractor Knew of Explosive Material in Beirut Since at Least 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/10/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-us-contractor.html |access-date=11 August 2020 |agency=The New York Times |date=11 August 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811023012/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/10/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-us-contractor.html |url-status=live |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Hubbard |first2=Ben }} A port worker said Warehouse 12 was "not in regular use", and that "those in charge only used to open the warehouse to stack inside it materials confiscated upon judicial orders or perilous products", though he had not seen this to include any armaments.{{cite news |last1=Al Faour |first1=Nadia |title=Hangar 12: fireworks were stored next to ammonium nitrate in Beirut warehouse, former workers say |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/hangar-12-fireworks-were-stored-next-to-ammonium-nitrate-in-beirut-warehouse-former-workers-say-1.1061940 |access-date=11 August 2020 |agency=The National |date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924155228/https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/hangar-12-fireworks-were-stored-next-to-ammonium-nitrate-in-beirut-warehouse-former-workers-say-1.1061940 |url-status=live }}
Casualties
A total of 218 people were confirmed dead from the explosion, with over 7,000 injured.{{Cite report |title="They Killed Us from the Inside" An Investigation into the August 4 Beirut Blast |date=2021 |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2021/08/lebanon0821_web.pdf |publisher=Human Rights Watch |pages=706 |isbn=978-1-62313-931-5 |access-date=23 May 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626234927/https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2021/08/lebanon0821_web.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210731-they-have-to-pay-for-what-they-did-families-of-beirut-blast-victims-fight-for-justice|title='They have to pay for what they did': Families of Beirut blast victims fight for justice|date=31 July 2021|website=France24|access-date=18 August 2021|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404042047/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210731-they-have-to-pay-for-what-they-did-families-of-beirut-blast-victims-fight-for-justice|url-status=live}} Foreigners from at least 22 countries were among the casualties.{{Efn|Among the dead were forty-three Syrian, thirteen Armenian, five Bangladeshi, four Filipino, three Egyptian, two Belgian, two Canadian, two Palestinian, one French, one Italian, one Ethiopian, one Greek, one Dutch, one Pakistani, one Australian, one German, and one American national. Among the injured were one hundred and eight Bangladeshi, forty-two Filipino, twenty-four French, fifteen Sri Lankan, ten Italian, nine Ethiopian, seven Jordanian, six Turkish, five Dutch, five Greek, five Indian, five Sudanese, four Belgian, four Pakistani, three Kenyan, two Algerian, one Chinese, one Indonesian, one Kazakhstani, one Moroccan, one Nigerian, one Portuguese and one Vietnamese national.}} Several United Nations naval peacekeepers who were members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured by the blast.{{cite web |title=Beirut blast: 4 Bangladeshis killed, 21 Bangladesh Navy crew injured |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/military-affairs/2020/08/05/bangladesh-navy-crew-injured-in-beirut-blast |website=Dhaka Tribune |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200805114327/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/military-affairs/2020/08/05/bangladesh-navy-crew-injured-in-beirut-blast |url-status=live }}{{cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=Lebanon: UN 'actively assisting' in response to huge explosions at Beirut port|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1069542|access-date=5 August 2020|website=UN News |archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200805120513/https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1069542|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/horrific-explosion-rocks-beirut-port/ |title=Horrific explosion rocks Beirut port |date=5 August 2020 |publisher=Offshore Energy |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806010555/https://www.offshore-energy.biz/horrific-explosion-rocks-beirut-port/ |url-status=live }} The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 34 refugees were among the dead and missing, and an additional 124 refugees were injured.{{cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=Beirut blast death toll includes dozens of refugees, emergency response ramps up|url=https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2020/8/5f32469f4/beirut-blast-death-toll-includes-dozens-refugees-emergency-response-ramps.html|access-date=14 August 2020|publisher=UNHCR|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812190523/https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2020/8/5f32469f4/beirut-blast-death-toll-includes-dozens-refugees-emergency-response-ramps.html|url-status=live}} At least 150 people were left permanently disabled as a result of the explosion.{{cite news|title=Scarred for life: Beirut blast victims and life-altering wounds|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/scarred-life-beirut-blast-victims-life-altering-wounds-200825112158338.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=25 August 2020|access-date=25 August 2020|archive-date=25 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825215107/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/scarred-life-beirut-blast-victims-life-altering-wounds-200825112158338.html|url-status=live}}
=Notable casualties=
All ten members of Platoon 5, a team of nine firefighters and a paramedic, died at the scene of the blast. Nazar Najarian, the secretary-general of the Kataeb Party, died after sustaining severe head injuries.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/index.html|title=Live updates: Lebanese capital rocked by huge explosion|date=4 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2020|work=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804220841/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/index.html|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}} French architect Jean-Marc Bonfils died after sustaining serious injuries at his apartment in the East Village building in Mar Mikhaël. He had been live-streaming the fire at the warehouse on Facebook at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20200806.OBS31910/l-architecte-francais-jean-marc-bonfils-est-decede-lors-des-explosions-a-beyrouth.html|title=L'architecte français Jean-Marc Bonfils est décédé lors des explosions à Beyrouth|website=L'Obs|date=6 August 2020|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807193726/https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20200806.OBS31910/l-architecte-francais-jean-marc-bonfils-est-decede-lors-des-explosions-a-beyrouth.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.saudi24news.com/2020/08/jean-marc-bonfils-killed-by-the-love-of-beirut-2.html|title=Jean-Marc Bonfils ... killed by the love of Beirut|date=7 August 2020|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073624/https://www.saudi24news.com/2020/08/jean-marc-bonfils-killed-by-the-love-of-beirut-2.html|url-status=live}} Lady Cochrane Sursock, philanthropist and member of the Sursock family, died on 31 August from injuries sustained from the blast.{{cite web|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1231003/lady-cochrane-disparition-dune-icone.html|title=Lady Cochrane, disparition d'une icône|date=31 August 2020|website=L'Orient-Le Jour|language=fr|access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831165124/https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1231003/lady-cochrane-disparition-dune-icone.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.agenzianova.com/a/5f4d22468818d6.20090183/3079725/2020-08-31/libano-morta-filantropa-yvonne-sursock-cochrane-coinvolta-in-esplosione-beirut|title=Libano: morta filantropa Yvonne Sursock Cochrane coinvolta in esplosione Beirut|website=Agenzia Nova|language=it|date=31 August 2020|access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831165644/https://www.agenzianova.com/a/5f4d22468818d6.20090183/3079725/2020-08-31/libano-morta-filantropa-yvonne-sursock-cochrane-coinvolta-in-esplosione-beirut|url-status=live}}
Damage
File:Aftermath of the 2020 Beirut explosions august 6 2020 05.jpg
File:Port of Beirut from the ISS (closeup) (cropped).jpg as seen from the International Space Station a week after the disaster, with inset of an enlarged view of the explosion crater (top left)]]
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| image1 = [https://disasterscharter.org/image/journal/article.jpg?img_id=6697640 Detailed 0.5 m satellite imagery of explosion aftermath] captured by Pleiades-1B on 5 August 2020.{{cite web|url=https://disasterscharter.org/web/guest/activations/-/article/industrial-accident-in-lebanon-activation-664-|title=Industrial accident in Lebanon – Activations – International Disasters Charter|website=disasterscharter.org|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807074519/https://disasterscharter.org/web/guest/activations/-/article/industrial-accident-in-lebanon-activation-664-|url-status=live}}
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The explosion overturned cars and stripped steel-framed buildings of their cladding.{{cite web|title=Many injured as large blast rocks Beirut|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53656220|website=BBC News|last1=Nasrallah|first1=Hadi|last2=Rose|first2=Sunniva|access-date=4 August 2020|date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804163034/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53656220|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}} Within the port area, the explosion destroyed a section of shoreline and left a blast crater roughly {{cvt|124|m|ft}} in diameter and {{cvt|43|m|ft}} in depth.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/08/05/new-satellite-image-shows-beirut-explosion-devastation/#5c830ad20013 |title=Satellite Image Shows Beirut Explosion Devastation |website=Forbes |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073634/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/08/05/new-satellite-image-shows-beirut-explosion-devastation/#5c830ad20013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl#h_677c04ba1554d609a9df0cf2f65add32|title=The Beirut explosion created a 405-foot-wide crater|date=4 August 2020|website=CNN|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809143018/https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/h_677c04ba1554d609a9df0cf2f65add32|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/09/Beirut-explosion-leaves-43-meter-deep-crater-Security-official-.html|title=Beirut explosion leaves 43-meter deep crater: Security official|date=9 August 2020|website=Al Arabiya English|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025203255/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/09/Beirut-explosion-leaves-43-meter-deep-crater-Security-official-.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|language=fr|url=https://www.arretsurimages.net/articles/le-cratere-de-beyrouth-ne-fait-pas-43-m-de-profondeur|author=Loris Guémart|title=Le cratère de Beyrouth ne fait pas 43 m de profondeur|date=7 September 2020|website=Arrêt sur images|access-date=8 September 2020|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918081438/https://www.arretsurimages.net/articles/le-cratere-de-beyrouth-ne-fait-pas-43-m-de-profondeur|url-status=live}} Homes as far as {{convert|10|km|mi|0|abbr=off|sp=us}} away were damaged by the blast,{{cite news |last1=Balkiz |first1=Ghazi |last2=Qiblawi |first2=Tamara |last3=Wedeman |first3=Ben |title=Beirut explosion shatters windows across Lebanese capital |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/middleeast/beirut-explosion-port-intl/index.html |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804212749/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/middleeast/beirut-explosion-port-intl/index.html |archive-date=4 August 2020 |url-status=live }} and up to 300,000 people were left homeless by the explosion.{{r|AJE 05-08}}{{r|jazeera.live.2020.08.10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53720383|title=Lebanon's government 'to resign over blast'|date=10 August 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|website=BBC|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810112441/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53720383|url-status=live}} The grain elevator was largely destroyed,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-huge-blast-port-lebanon-capital|title=Beirut explosion: dead and wounded among 'hundreds of casualties', says Lebanon Red Cross – live updates|first1=Oliver|last1=Holmes|first2=Peter|last2=Beaumont|first3=Michael|last3=Safi|first4=Martin|last4=Chulov|date=4 August 2020|website=The Guardian|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804201541/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-huge-blast-port-lebanon-capital|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}} exacerbating food shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial crisis.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200701-food-insecurity-hits-middle-class-amid-lebanon-s-economic-crisis |title=Food insecurity hits middle class amid Lebanon's economic crisis |last=Molana-Allen |first=Leila |date=1 July 2020 |website=France 24 |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702094255/https://www.france24.com/en/20200701-food-insecurity-hits-middle-class-amid-lebanon-s-economic-crisis |archive-date=2 July 2020 |url-status=live }} About {{convert|15,000|t|sigfig=3}} of grain were lost, leaving the country with less than a month's worth of grain in reserve.{{r|AJE 05-08}} However, part of the elevator's sturdy structure survived, shielding a large area of western Beirut from greater destruction.
The damage from the blast affected over half of Beirut, with the likely cost above US$15 billion and insured losses at around US$3 billion.{{Cite news|last1=Hussain|first1=Noor Zainab|last2=Cohn|first2=Carolyn|date=7 August 2020|title=Insured losses from Beirut blast seen around $3 billion: sources|work=reuters|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-insurance/insured-losses-from-beirut-blast-seen-around-3-billion-sources-idINKCN2532IF|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808032328/https://in.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-insurance/insured-losses-from-beirut-blast-seen-around-3-billion-sources-idINKCN2532IF|url-status=dead}} Approximately ninety percent of the city's hotels were damaged and three hospitals completely destroyed, while two more suffered damage.{{cite news|work=Al Jazeera English|title=Lebanon eyes state of emergency after deadly Beirut blast: Live|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-eyes-state-emergency-deadly-beirut-blast-live-200804234925493.html|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805082935/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-eyes-state-emergency-deadly-beirut-blast-live-200804234925493.html|archive-date=5 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl#h_5372a5d4a996a45c2a92adfd03525251|title=90% of Beirut hotels damaged, state media says|date=4 August 2020|website=CNN|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073540/https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/h_5372a5d4a996a45c2a92adfd03525251|url-status=live}} Dozens of injured people brought to nearby hospitals could not be admitted because of the damage to the hospitals. Windows and other installations of glass across the city were shattered.{{Cite news |last1=Singhvi |first1=Anjali |last2=Reinhard |first2=Scott |last3=McCann |first3=Allison |last4=Leatherby |first4=Lauren |last5=Migliozzi |first5=Blacki |date=5 August 2020 |title=Mapping the Damage From the Beirut Explosion |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-damage.html |access-date=6 August 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806005038/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-damage.html |url-status=live }}
Saint George Hospital, one of the city's largest medical facilities, was less than {{convert|1|km|mi|frac=8|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the explosion, and was so badly damaged that staff were forced to treat patients in the street.{{Cite news|title=Lebanon: at least 78 killed as huge explosion rocks Beirut|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/huge-explosion-beirut-lebanon-shatters-windows-rocks-buildings|last1=Chulov|first1=Martin|date=4 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2020|work=The Guardian|last2=Safi|first2=Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804160549/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/huge-explosion-beirut-lebanon-shatters-windows-rocks-buildings|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}} Four nurses died from the initial blast, fifteen patients died after their ventilators stopped working, and several child cancer patients were injured by flying glass.{{cite news |title=Beirut after the blast: the crunch of glass, acrid smoke and stairs slick with blood |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/08/05/beirut-after-the-blast-the-crunch-of-glass-acrid-smoke-and-stairs-slick-with-blood |access-date=7 August 2020 |agency=The Economist |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807125328/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/08/05/beirut-after-the-blast-the-crunch-of-glass-acrid-smoke-and-stairs-slick-with-blood |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Hubbard|first1=Ben|last2=Abi-Habib|first2=Maria|date=5 August 2020|title=Deadly Explosions Shatter Beirut, Lebanon|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-blast.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804211437/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-blast.html}}{{cite news |last=Ruhayem |first=Rami |last2=Adams |first2=Paul |date=5 August 2020 |title=Rescue workers search rubble after deadly Beirut blast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53659282 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805050156/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53659282 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=BBC News}} Within hours, after discharging all its patients and sending some to other facilities, Saint George Hospital was forced to close.{{cite news |last1=Ramzy |first1=Austin |title=What We Know and Don't Know About the Beirut Explosions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-what-happened.html |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813034409/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-what-happened.html |url-status=live }} The hospital's director of intensive care, Dr. Joseph Haddad, was quoted as saying: "There is no Saint George Hospital anymore. It's fallen, it's on the floor{{nbsp}}... It's all destroyed. All of it."
The Sursock Museum was severely damaged, as was much of its artwork, and some ceramics were completely destroyed.{{cite web |last1=Bishara |first1=Hakim |title=Deadly Explosion in Beirut Decimates Thousands of Buildings, Including Galleries and Museums |url=https://hyperallergic.com/580732/deadly-beirut-explosion/ |website=Hyperallergic |access-date=6 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807083142/https://hyperallergic.com/580732/deadly-beirut-explosion/ |url-status=live}} The atelier for the fashion house Sandra Mansour was heavily damaged by the explosion.{{cite web |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/sandra-mansour-lebanese-designer-on-beirut-explosion |title=Lebanese Designer Sandra Mansour on the Beirut Explosion, One Week Later |date=13 August 2020 |access-date=21 November 2020 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102015524/https://www.vogue.com/article/sandra-mansour-lebanese-designer-on-beirut-explosion |url-status=live}} Sursock Palace, a 160-year-old Beirut landmark that was listed as a cultural heritage site, also sustained heavy damage, as did its many works of art.{{cite web|title=Blast destroyed landmark 19th century palace in Beirut|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/blast-destroyed-landmark-19th-century-palace-beirut-72276766|website=ABC News|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810200138/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/blast-destroyed-landmark-19th-century-palace-beirut-72276766|url-status=live}}{{efn|The palace had been restored over a twenty-year period following the civil war of 1975–1990.{{r|sursock.palace}}}} Some glass artifacts in the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut were also destroyed, and the huge 118-year-old door which opened onto the main exhibition space was blown off its hinges.{{cite web |url=https://www.aub.edu.lb/articles/Pages/archaeological-museum-beirut-blast.aspx |title=AUB Archaeological Museum counts cost of Beirut blast |date=22 August 2020 |access-date=19 April 2023 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419154945/https://www.aub.edu.lb/articles/Pages/archaeological-museum-beirut-blast.aspx |url-status=live }} Bustros Palace, which hosts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, was severely damaged. The Armenian Catholicosate in Antelias sustained great damage.{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/08/05/armenian-catholicosate-damaged-in-beirut-explosion/|title=Armenian Catholicosate damaged in Beirut explosion|website=Public Radio of Armenia|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927035931/https://en.armradio.am/2020/08/05/armenian-catholicosate-damaged-in-beirut-explosion/|url-status=live}} All the stained glass windows of the National Evangelical Church were blown out.{{cite news|url=https://www.baptistmessenger.com/beirut-blast-prompts-prayer-from-messianic-believers/|title=Beirut blast prompts prayer from Messianic believers|last=Chandler|first=Diana|work=The Baptist Messenger of Oklahoma|date=5 August 2020|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923202423/https://www.baptistmessenger.com/beirut-blast-prompts-prayer-from-messianic-believers/|url-status=live}} The FIBA Asia headquarters was also heavily damaged.{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Gerry |title=SBP sends sympathy as FIBA Asia headquarters damaged in Lebanon blast |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/fiba/sbp-sends-sympathy-as-fiba-asia-headquarters-damaged-in-lebanon-blast-a793-20200806?ref=home_feed_6 |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021215324/https://www.spin.ph/basketball/fiba/sbp-sends-sympathy-as-fiba-asia-headquarters-damaged-in-lebanon-blast-a793-20200806?ref=home_feed_6 |url-status=live }} Embassies in and around Beirut reported varying degrees of damage to their buildings; the embassies of Argentina,{{cite web|date=5 August 2020|title=La embajada argentina sufrió graves daños, pero sin heridos.|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202008/498363-libano-embajada-argentina-beirut.html|access-date=5 August 2020|website=Télam|language=es|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073543/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202008/498363-libano-embajada-argentina-beirut.html|url-status=live}} Australia,{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-05/australian-embassy-damaged-in-beirut-blast/12525330 |title=Beirut explosion leaves Australian embassy 'considerably' damaged, one Australian dead |last=Shelton |first=Tracey |date=5 August 2020 |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805091656/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-05/australian-embassy-damaged-in-beirut-blast/12525330 |url-status=live }} Finland,{{cite web |url=https://newsnowfinland.fi/finland-international/report-finnish-embassy-in-beirut-destroyed-by-blast |title=Report: Finnish Embassy in Beirut 'destroyed' by blast |date=4 August 2020 |website=News Now Finland |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805091650/https://newsnowfinland.fi/finland-international/report-finnish-embassy-in-beirut-destroyed-by-blast |url-status=live }} Cyprus,{{r|AJE 05-08}} and the Netherlands,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/05reuters-lebanon-security-blast-netherlands.html|title=Wife of Dutch Ambassador Seriously Injured in Beirut Blast: Ministry|date=5 August 2020|via=NYTimes.com|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807201735/https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/05reuters-lebanon-security-blast-netherlands.html|url-status=live}} which were close to the blast, sustained heavy damage, while minor damage was reported from the South Korean,{{cite web|date=5 August 2020|title=No S. Koreans Reported Killed or Injured in Beirut Explosions|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=155355|access-date=5 August 2020|website=KBS World RADIO|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805093406/http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=155355|url-status=live}} Hungarian,{{cite web |title=Hungary Embassy Damaged in Beirut Blast, No Hungarian Casualties Reported |url=https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-embassy-beirut-blast-no-hungarian-casualties/ |website=Hungary Today |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806205003/https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-embassy-beirut-blast-no-hungarian-casualties/ |url-status=live }} Kazakh,{{Cite news |website=BBC News Русская служба |publisher=BBC News |title=Мощный взрыв в Бейруте: масштабные разрушения, десятки погибших и тысячи пострадавших |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-53656494 |language=ru |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073542/https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-53656494 |url-status=live }} Russian, Bulgarian,{{cite web|url=http://focus-news.net/news/2020/08/04/2795563/schupeni-sa-prozortsi-na-posolstvoto-ni-v-beyrut-sled-vzriv-v-rayona-nyama-danni-za-postradali-balgarski-grazhdani.html|title=Счупени са прозорци на посолството ни в Бейрут след взрив в района, няма данни за пострадали български граждани|website=Информационна Агенция "Фокус"|language=bg|date=4 August 2020|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807004853/http://www.focus-news.net/news/2020/08/04/2795563/schupeni-sa-prozortsi-na-posolstvoto-ni-v-beyrut-sled-vzriv-v-rayona-nyama-danni-za-postradali-balgarski-grazhdani.html|url-status=live}} Romanian,{{cite web |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/beirut-explosion-ro-embassy-aug-2020 |url-access=subscription |title=Beirut explosion: Romanian embassy HQ slightly damaged |author= |date=5 August 2020 |website=Romania Insider |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073606/https://www.romania-insider.com/beirut-explosion-ro-embassy-aug-2020 |url-status=live }} and Turkish{{Cite news |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/beyrut-taki-patlamalarda-2-turk-vatandasi-yaralandi/1931621 |title=Beyrut'taki patlamalarda 2 Türk vatandaşı yaralandı |agency=Anadolu Agency |language=tr |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073546/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/beyrut-taki-patlamalarda-2-turk-vatandasi-yaralandi/1931621 |url-status=live }} embassies.
=Shipping=
The cruise ship Orient Queen, berthed near Warehouse 12, suffered extensive damage and capsized overnight.{{cite web |last1=Domballe |first1=Jeremy |title=Update: The current situation in the port of Beirut, Lebanon |url=https://ihsmarkit.com/research-analysis/update-the-current-situation-in-the-port-of-beirut-lebanon.html |publisher=IHS Markit |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003122140/https://ihsmarkit.com/research-analysis/update-the-current-situation-in-the-port-of-beirut-lebanon.html |archive-date=3 October 2020 |date=18 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Orient Queen Sinks in Beirut, Two Crew Reported Dead |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23337-orient-queen-sinks-in-beirut-two-crew-reported-dead.html |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=Cruise Industry News |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806010547/https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23337-orient-queen-sinks-in-beirut-two-crew-reported-dead.html |url-status=live }} Two members of the crew were killed, and seven crew members were injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/07/owner-of-cruise-ship-sunk-by-lebanon-blast-sues-those-responsible|title=Owner of cruise ship sunk by Lebanon blast sues 'those responsible'|date=7 August 2020|website=euronews|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808040436/https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/07/owner-of-cruise-ship-sunk-by-lebanon-blast-sues-those-responsible|url-status=live}} On 7 August, the first lawsuit related to the explosions was filed by the ship's owners, Abou Merhi Cruises, whose offices were also destroyed.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/08/beirut-explosion-cruise-ship-owner-sues-those-responsible-as-more-protests-loom Beirut explosion: cruise ship owner sues "those responsible", as more protests loom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808124621/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/08/beirut-explosion-cruise-ship-owner-sues-those-responsible-as-more-protests-loom |date=8 August 2020 }} The Guardian The Bangladesh Navy corvette BNS Bijoy, which participated in UNIFIL, was also damaged.{{cite web|title=European Navies Providing Disaster Relief To Beirut|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/08/european-navies-providing-disaster-relief-to-beirut/|website=Naval News|date=10 August 2020|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922114327/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/08/european-navies-providing-disaster-relief-to-beirut/|url-status=live}}
{{external media|image1=[https://media.mehrnews.com/d/2020/08/09/4/3518961.jpg Abou Karim{{nbsp}}I on its side next to Abou Karim{{nbsp}}III, near the blast crater] The crater is the water-filled area in the left foreground.{{cite web|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/photo/4993812/حجم-خسارت-انفجار-مهیب-در-بندر-بیروت|title=حجم خسارت انفجار مهیب در بندر بیروت|date=9 August 2020|website=خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810034440/https://www.mehrnews.com/photo/4993812/%D8%AD%D8%AC%D9%85-%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA|url-status=live}}}}
The edible-oil tanker ship Amadeo{{nbsp}}II, being used as a bunker barge at the port, was nearest to the explosion, which deposited the mangled remains of the ship on a nearby quay. The ship's crew died in the explosion.{{cite news |last1=Dadouch |first1=Sarah |title=At Beirut's shattered port, a crater more than 15 yards deep and small signs of previous lives |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/at-beiruts-shattered-port-a-crater-nearly-50-yards-deep-and-small-signs-of-previous-lives/2020/08/11/9285597c-d8fc-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html |access-date=3 October 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003145607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/at-beiruts-shattered-port-a-crater-nearly-50-yards-deep-and-small-signs-of-previous-lives/2020/08/11/9285597c-d8fc-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html |archive-date=3 October 2020 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://report.az/en/other-countries/beirut-blast-149-killed-more-than-5000-injured/ |title=Beirut explosion 149 killed, more than 5000 injured |website=Report News Agency |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922021037/https://report.az/en/other-countries/beirut-blast-149-killed-more-than-5000-injured/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:676417/mmsi:450557000/imo:7423990/vessel:AMADEO_II |title=AMADEO II |website=Marine Traffic |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922033919/http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:676417/mmsi:450557000/imo:7423990/vessel:AMADEO_II |url-status=live }} Two large livestock carriers, Abou Karim{{nbsp}}I and Abou Karim{{nbsp}}III, laid up at the end of Berth 09, very close to Warehouse 12, were heavily damaged. Abou Karim{{nbsp}}I became unstable, keeled over onto the adjacent Abou Karim{{nbsp}}III and shortly afterwards capsized.{{cite news |title=Lebanese army finds more explosive chemicals outside Beirut port after huge blast |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis-blast-chemicals/lebanese-army-finds-more-explosive-chemicals-outside-beirut-port-after-huge-blast-idUSKBN25U2FK |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=Reuters |date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003133350/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis-blast-chemicals/lebanese-army-finds-more-explosive-chemicals-outside-beirut-port-after-huge-blast-idUSKBN25U2FK |archive-date=3 October 2020 |url-status=dead }} The livestock carrier Jouri and the cargo ships Mero Star and Raouf H were also close to the blast and suffered serious damage; AIS from these ships stopped broadcasting at the time of the explosion.{{cite web |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2020/30513/beirut-port-explosion-close-proximity-witness-vide/ |title=Beirut port explosion mystery solved? UPDATES: 3 ships disappeared. VIDEO |first=Mikhail |last=Voychenko |publisher=Fleetmon |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806012100/https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2020/30513/beirut-port-explosion-close-proximity-witness-vide/ |url-status=live }}
Hapag-Lloyd's offices in Beirut were destroyed.{{cite web |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/hapag-lloyds-beirut-office-completely-destroyed-staff-safe/ |title=Hapag-Lloyd's Beirut office completely destroyed, staff safe |first=Jasmina |last=Ovcina |date=6 August 2020 |publisher=Offshore Energy |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808091659/https://www.offshore-energy.biz/hapag-lloyds-beirut-office-completely-destroyed-staff-safe/ |url-status=live }} CMA CGM's offices, located a few hundred meters away from the site of the explosion, were severely damaged. One employee died and two were severely injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/3238/beirut-explosions-the-cma-cgm-group-expresses-deepest-emotion-and-solidarity-towards-its-on-site-staff-and-all-of-the-lebanese-people|title=Beirut Explosions: The CMA CGM Group expresses deepest emotion and solidarity towards its on-site staff and all of the Lebanese people|website=CMA-CGM|archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810123727/https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/3238/beirut-explosions-the-cma-cgm-group-expresses-deepest-emotion-and-solidarity-towards-its-on-site-staff-and-all-of-the-lebanese-people }}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/08/06/world/europe/06reuters-lebanon-security-blast-cmacgm.html|title=Shipping Group CMA CGM Says Missing Beirut Staff Member Died|date=6 August 2020|via=NYTimes.com}} {{Dead link|date=October 2020}}
=Airport=
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, the city's main airport, about {{convert|10|km|mi|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} from the site of the blast, sustained moderate damage to the terminal buildings during the explosion.{{cite web|title=Beirut airport damaged in the explosion, but flights continue|url=https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/beirut-airport-damaged-in-explosion-but-flights-continue-1.1059310|access-date=6 August 2020|website=The National|date=6 August 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930070140/https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/beirut-airport-damaged-in-explosion-but-flights-continue-1.1059310|url-status=live}} Doors and windows were destroyed, and ceiling tiles were shaken loose by the shockwave, severing electrical wires. Despite the damage, flights continued.
= Subsequent collapses =
In July 2022, grains remaining in the silo caught fire due to a combination of fermentation and summer heat. On 31 July, the northern part of the silo collapsed. Two further collapses occurred in August.{{cite news |title=Further part of Beirut grain silos collapses |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-62644757 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824122710/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-62644757 |url-status=live }} The government had ordered the demolition of the silos in April 2022, but families of blast victims objected, saying it should be preserved as a memorial site.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/31/grain-silos-2020-beirut-port-explosion-collapse-fire|title=Silos damaged in 2020 Beirut port explosion partly collapse after fire|access-date=31 July 2022|website=The Guardian|date=31 July 2022|archive-date=12 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912063957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/31/grain-silos-2020-beirut-port-explosion-collapse-fire|url-status=live}}
Investigation
The government formed an investigative committee led by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, which announced it would submit its findings to the Council of Ministers of Lebanon by 11 August 2020. The committee includes the justice, interior and defence ministers, and the head of the top four security agencies: the Armed Forces, General Security, Internal Security Forces, and State Security.{{cite web |last1=Azhari |first1=Timour |title=Lebanese officials deflect blame as anger grows over Beirut blast |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/anger-rises-lebanon-investigation-probes-beirut-explosion-200805191032840.html |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=7 August 2020 |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921042915/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/anger-rises-lebanon-investigation-probes-beirut-explosion-200805191032840.html |url-status=live }} The investigation was to examine whether the explosion was an accident or due to negligence, and if it was caused by a bomb or another external interference.{{cite web |last1=Georgy |first1=Michael |last2=Francis |first2=Ellen |title=Lebanon sees possible 'external interference' in port blast |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/lebanon-sees-possible-external-interference-in-blast-idUSKCN2531F9 |website=Reuters |access-date=7 August 2020 |date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807152109/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/lebanon-sees-possible-external-interference-in-blast-idUSKCN2531F9 |url-status=live }} President Michel Aoun rejected calls for an international probe despite demands from world leaders.{{cite web |title=Lebanon president rejects calls for international blast probe |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1715991/middle-east |website=Arab News |access-date=7 August 2020 |date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204074947/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1715991/middle-east |url-status=live }}
On 5 August, the Council agreed to place sixteen Beirut port officials who had overseen storage and security since 2014 under house arrest, overseen by the army, pending the investigation into the explosions.{{cite web |title=Lebanon to place Beirut port officials under house arrest: sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-port/lebanon-to-place-beirut-port-officials-under-house-arrest-sources-idUSKCN25121I |website=Reuters |access-date=7 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807105051/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-port/lebanon-to-place-beirut-port-officials-under-house-arrest-sources-idUSKCN25121I |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Beirut port manager among 16 held in blast probe, judicial source says |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-lebanon-security-blast-detentions/beirut-port-manager-among-16-held-in-blast-probe-judicial-source-says-idUKKCN2522YJ |website=Reuters |access-date=7 August 2020 |date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029032318/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-lebanon-security-blast-detentions/beirut-port-manager-among-16-held-in-blast-probe-judicial-source-says-idUKKCN2522YJ |url-status=live }} In addition, the general manager of the port, Hassan Koraytem, and the former director general of Lebanon's customs authority, Shafiq Merhi, were arrested.{{cite web |url=https://www.the961.com/16-arrested-beirut-explosion-investigation/ |title=Beirut Port Manager & 15 Others Were Just Arrested |website=the961.com |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204074946/https://www.the961.com/16-arrested-beirut-explosion-investigation/ |url-status=live }} Later, on 17 August, the incumbent director-general of Lebanon's customs authority, Badri Daher, was also arrested. Also, former ministers of both finance and public works were due to be interrogated by a judge appointed by the council.{{cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/lebanese-customs-chief-arrested-over-beirut-blast-1.5067268 |title=Lebanese customs chief arrested over Beirut blast |website=CTV News |date=17 August 2020 |access-date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817233308/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/lebanese-customs-chief-arrested-over-beirut-blast-1.5067268 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|last1=Khraiche|first1=Dana|last2=Diab|first2=Youssef|date=17 August 2020|title=Beirut Blast Probe Opens With Arrest Order for Port Customs Head|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-17/judge-orders-arrest-of-customs-head-as-beirut-blast-probe-opens|access-date=19 August 2020|newspaper=Bloomberg.com}} In the meantime, state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered a travel ban on seven individuals, including Koraytem.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-07/lebanese-authorities-arrest-16-beirut-port-blast/12533150?nw=0 |title=Beirut port manager among 16 held in blast probe, judicial source says |website=abc.net |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808142912/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-07/lebanese-authorities-arrest-16-beirut-port-blast/12533150?nw=0 |url-status=live }} While Acting Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm unsuccessfully demanded an international investigation into the blast,{{Cite news|date=14 October 2021|title=Beirut port blast: The tensions around the investigation|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58913864|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016052757/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58913864|url-status=live}} she also noted that "...this case is a chance for the Lebanese judiciary to prove they can do their jobs and win back the confidence of the people".{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-judiciary-handle-beirut-explosion-probe-minister-200812154620945.html |title=Lebanon judiciary can handle Beirut explosion probe: Minister |website=Al Jazeera |date=12 August 2020 |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921044620/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-judiciary-handle-beirut-explosion-probe-minister-200812154620945.html |url-status=live }} On 19 August, a Lebanon judge ordered the arrests of more suspects over the explosion, making the total number of accused 25.{{cite web|last=Khodr|first=Zeina|title=Lebanon judge orders more arrests over Beirut explosion|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-judge-arrests-beirut-blast-200819140809352.html|access-date=19 August 2020|website=Al Jazeera|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820040209/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-judge-arrests-beirut-blast-200819140809352.html|url-status=live}}
The Lebanese judge Fadi Sawan,{{cite web |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/little-known-lebanese-judge-fadi-sawan-leads-probe-into-beirut-blast-1.1067397 |title=Little-known Lebanese judge Fadi Sawan leads probe into Beirut blast |website=The National |date=23 August 2020 |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824092329/https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/little-known-lebanese-judge-fadi-sawan-leads-probe-into-beirut-blast-1.1067397 |url-status=live }} who has been responsible for the investigation, summoned former Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ghazi Aridi, Labor Ministers Ghazi Zaiter, Youssef Fenianos, and Michel Najjar, General Director of the Lebanese State Security Tony Saliba, Director General of Lebanon's Land and Maritime Transport division, Abdul-Hafeez Al-Qaisi, and General Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim.{{cite web |url=https://www.shafaaq.com/en/World/Beirut-Blast-Investigations-with-former-and-current-ministers |title=Beirut Blast: Investigations with former and current ministers |website=shafaaq.com |date=13 August 2020 |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073554/https://shafaq.com/en/World/Beirut-Blast-Investigations-with-former-and-current-ministers |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1719031/middle-east |title=Beirut emergency law sparks fears of army crackdown |website=Arab News |date=13 August 2020 |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204074952/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1719031/middle-east |url-status=live }}
In September, Lebanon's state prosecution asked Interpol to detain two Russian citizens, the captain and the owner of Rhosus, as its cargo of ammonium nitrate was blamed for the explosion.{{cite news |title=Lebanon Asks Interpol to Arrest Russian Ship Captain, Owner Over Port Explosion |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-01/lebanon-asks-interpol-to-arrest-russian-ship-captain-owner-over-port-explosion |access-date=2 October 2020 |work=U.S.News |agency=Reuters |date=1 October 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073637/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-01/lebanon-asks-interpol-to-arrest-russian-ship-captain-owner-over-port-explosion |url-status=live }} In January 2021, Interpol issued Red Notices{{efn|A Red Notice seeks the location and arrest of wanted persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.{{cite web |title=About Notices |url=https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/About-Notices |publisher=Interpol |access-date=13 January 2021 |location=Lyon, France |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215023526/https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/About-Notices |url-status=live }}}} against the two Russians as well as a Portuguese man.{{cite news |title=Interpol issues notices over Lebanon's massive port blast |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/interpol-issues-notices-lebanons-massive-port-blast-75195422 |access-date=13 January 2021 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=12 January 2021 |archive-date=12 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112125921/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/interpol-issues-notices-lebanons-massive-port-blast-75195422 |url-status=live }}
In December 2020, Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister Diab and three former ministers were charged with negligence over the Beirut port explosion. The former ministers were former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil, Ghazi Zeiter, and Youssef Fenianos, both former ministers of public works. Zeitar was transport and public works minister in 2014, followed by Fenianos in 2016, who held the job until the beginning of 2020. Khalil was finance minister in 2014, 2016, and until 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-11/lebanon-prime-minister-charged-over-beirut-port-blast/12973068|title=Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister charged with negligence over Beirut port explosion|newspaper=ABC News|date=10 December 2020|via=www.abc.net.au|access-date=14 March 2021|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229025953/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-11/lebanon-prime-minister-charged-over-beirut-port-blast/12973068|url-status=live}}
On 28 January 2021, Syrian-Russian businessman George Haswani denied any links to the Beirut explosion. He told Reuters he did not know anything about a company linked to the process of buying a shipment of chemicals that exploded. In an interview with Reuters at his home in Damascus, Haswani said that he had resorted to the Cypriot company Interstatus to register his company, which is the same agent that registered the Savaro company, and that the agent company had moved the registration site of the two companies to the same address on the same day. However, Haswani said that he did not know anything about Savaro and that any links between it and his company are just a coincidence because the two companies have the same agent. As stated in previous reports, Reuters was unable to determine whether Haswani had anything to do with Savaro. Haswani said, "I don't know what other companies are registered by this Cypriot company, five or three or 70 or more... It is a fabricated media whirlwind. We don't know Savaro and we hadn't heard about them before this." Interstatus did not respond to a request for comment. Marina Psyllou, the director of the "Interstatus" company, was listed in the registration documents of the company (Savaro) as the only owner and director of the company, but she denied that she was the real manager of the company. She told Reuters in mid-January 2021 that the beneficial owner of the company was another person, whom she refused to identify. She added that Savaro was a dormant company that had never conducted business. Haswani said that he was not contacted by any investigators from Lebanon or any other country regarding the explosion and that he will soon work to file a legal case in Paris against media reports linking him to the explosion. He continued, "I am living my life normally and laughing because I am someone who knows well that I have nothing to do with this matter at all. Why would I worry?"{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis-blast-idUSKBN29X0WJ|title=Syrian businessman Haswani denies links to Beirut blast chemicals|newspaper=Reuters|date=28 January 2021|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501080039/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis-blast-idUSKBN29X0WJ|url-status=live}}
On 15 April 2021, six detained people were released, including two officers, although they were not allowed to travel out of Lebanon.{{cite web|date=15 April 2021|title=Judge orders release of 6 detained over Lebanon port blast|url=https://arab.news/p3r6y|access-date=16 April 2021|website=Arab News|language=en}}
In September 2021, OCCRP published an investigation, that linked Savaro Limited to a Ukrainian company trading chemicals, directed by Ukrainian citizen Volodymyr Verbonol. The report also mentions that only 20% of the nitrate originally stored in the warehouse was actually left when it exploded, raising questions about what happened with the rest.{{cite web |author1=Aubrey Belford |author2=Yanina Korniienko |author3=Isobel Koshiw |author4=Feras Hatoum |author5=Stelios Orphanides |title=Ownership of Chemicals that Exploded at Beirut Port Traces Back to Ukraine|url=https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/ownership-of-chemicals-that-exploded-at-beirut-port-traces-back-to-ukraine|access-date=15 September 2021|website=OCCRP|language=en|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915002350/https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/ownership-of-chemicals-that-exploded-at-beirut-port-traces-back-to-ukraine|url-status=live}}
On 14 October 2021, six people were killed and at least 30 injured in a gunfire exchange in Beirut during protests by members of the Shia Amal and Hezbollah outside the Justice Palace, which demanded an end to the investigations led by Judge Tarek Bitar, for they deemed him as too much centered on their political allies.{{cite web|last=Chulov|first=Martin|date=14 October 2021|title=Six dead as Beirut gripped by worst street violence in 13 years|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/14/gunfire-beirut-protest-judge-leading-port-blast-inquiry|url-status=live|access-date=16 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014095405/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/14/gunfire-beirut-protest-judge-leading-port-blast-inquiry |archive-date=14 October 2021 }}{{cite web|title=Beirut shooting: Six killed and 30 injured in protests against Lebanon blast judge|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2021/10/14/gunfire-in-beirut-as-hezbollah-supporters-protest-against-blast-investigation/|access-date=14 October 2021|website=The National|date=14 October 2021|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014090923/https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2021/10/14/gunfire-in-beirut-as-hezbollah-supporters-protest-against-blast-investigation/|url-status=live}}
On 21 November 2021, the BBC reported that legal groups representing victims of the blast had sent letters on three occasions to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres requesting more information from UNIFIL, but had received no acknowledgment from the UN.{{Cite news|date=22 November 2021|title=Beirut blast: UN ignored plea for port disaster evidence|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59290301|access-date=22 November 2021|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122001624/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59290301|url-status=live}} A day later, the Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib announced that Lebanon received satellite images from Russia of the port from the day of the blast in 2020. These were the first official images made available from any foreign government.{{cite news|title=Lebanon receives Beirut blast satellite images from Russia|url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-russia-lebanon-moscow-2b1acc60bdeabdfed620a7db3b043de2|website=AP NEWS|date=November 22, 2021|access-date=22 August 2022|archive-date=23 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823140225/https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-russia-lebanon-moscow-2b1acc60bdeabdfed620a7db3b043de2|url-status=live}}
Throughout 2022, the investigation stalled. As of 8 June, parliamentary immunity, as well as outstanding complaints and other procedural roadblocks initiated by two members of Parliament and former ministers (namely, Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zaiter), continued to prevent significant progress in the case.{{cite news|title=Lebanon: Authorities should lift immunity and allow interrogation of MPs into the Beirut port explosion|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/06/lebanon-authorities-should-lift-immunity-and-allow-interrogation-of-mps-into-the-beirut-port-explosion/|newspaper=amnesty international|access-date=20 June 2022|archive-date=20 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620032952/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/06/lebanon-authorities-should-lift-immunity-and-allow-interrogation-of-mps-into-the-beirut-port-explosion/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Lebanese officials busy themselves with border dispute discussions against backdrop of port blast anger|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2022516/middle-east|newspaper=arab news|access-date=20 June 2022|archive-date=20 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620032952/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2022516/middle-east|url-status=live}}
On 16 January 2025, the investigation was resumed following the nomination of Nawaf Salam as prime minister and the Israel–Hezbollah conflict. Ten people were charged, including security, customs and military personnel.{{Cite web |title=Beirut Port explosion investigation resumes as Judge Bitar prepares to question key individuals |url=https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/lebanon-news/831201/beirut-port-explosion-investigation-resumes-as-judge-bitar-prepares-to/en |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=LBCIV7 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=Beirut blast investigator charges 10 people: Judicial official |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/01/16/beirut-blast-investigator-resumes-work-after-two-years-judicial-official |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}}
On 12 May 2025 it was reported that Judge Tarek Bitar is set to issue an indictment on August 4, 2025, coinciding with the disaster's fifth anniversary. According to sources he has completed the examination of the ammonium nitrate shipment's origin, entry into the port, and subsequent detonation. He plans to finalize remaining interrogations before releasing the indictment.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |date=2025 |title=Bitar to reportedly issue indictment in port case on August 4 |url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/312711-bitar-to-reportedly-issue-indictment-in-port-case-on-august-4 |access-date= |website=Naharnet}}
Relief operations
File:C-17 is loaded at Al Udeid Air Base with medical supplies for Lebanon Aug 2020.jpg, Medical Services supply]]
File:USAR op weg naar Beiroet C-17 01.jpg team heading to Beirut on {{dts|2020.08.05|format=dm}}]]
The Lebanese Red Cross said every available ambulance from North Lebanon, Bekaa, and South Lebanon was being dispatched to Beirut to help patients. According to the agency, a total of 75 ambulances and 375 medics were activated in response to the explosions.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lebanon-struck-by-blast-at-beirut-port-11596556605|title=Beirut Explosion Caused by Fire Kills Dozens, Injures Thousands|website=The Wall Street Journal|last1=Osseiran|first1=Nazih|last2=Malsin|first2=Jared|date=4 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804160009/https://www.wsj.com/articles/lebanon-struck-by-blast-at-beirut-port-11596556605|archive-date=4 August 2020|url-status=live}} Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the government would make up to 100{{nbsp}}billion pounds (US$66{{nbsp}}million) in aid available to support recovery operations. The ride-sharing app Careem offered free rides to and from hospitals and blood donation centers to anyone willing to donate blood.{{cite web|author=Carbel Mallo|date=4 August 2020 |title=Hundreds reported missing by family members, Health Minister says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl#h_6f522f1a670b7600c8a868a267fb62fb |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806060547/https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/h_6f522f1a670b7600c8a868a267fb62fb |archive-date=6 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020 |publisher=CNN}}{{cite tweet |user=careemleb |number=1290721354925453312 |date=4 August 2020 |title=URGENT: All blood types needed in all hospitals and blood donation centers in Beirut. Use promocode DONATEBLOOD for a free ride to and from the hospital or the blood donations center.|access-date=5 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804190013/https://twitter.com/CareemLEB/status/1290721354925453312 |archive-date=4 August 2020}} Volunteers removed debris while local business owners offered to repair damaged buildings for free in the absence of a state-sponsored cleanup operation.{{cite news |title=Beirut blast: Lebanese volunteers band together to clean up, help residents |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/beirut-blast-state-what-state-lebanese-together-in-solidarity-and-rage |website=The Straits Times |access-date=6 August 2020 |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073556/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/beirut-blast-state-what-state-lebanese-together-in-solidarity-and-rage |url-status=live }} A temporary hospital was established in the city by the Iranian Red Crescent Society.{{cite news |author= |url=https://ifpnews.com/irans-red-crescent-erects-field-hospital-in-lebanon |date=9 August 2020 |title=Iran's Red Crescent Erects Field Hospital in Lebanon |work=Iran Front Page |access-date=11 August 2020 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919224213/https://ifpnews.com/irans-red-crescent-erects-field-hospital-in-lebanon |url-status=live }}
Health Minister Hamad Hasan requested that international aid be sent to Lebanon; a number of countries sent in food, medical supplies, field hospitals, medical workers, and rescue teams.{{efn|Countries that sent aid or offered to send aid include: Armenia,{{cite web |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1024152.html |title=Armenia to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon – PM's spokesperson |website=Armenpress |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073613/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1024152.html |url-status=live}} Australia,{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-sends-2-million-in-aid-to-lebanon-after-beirut-blast-20200805-p55iyv.html |title=Australia sends $2 million in aid to Lebanon after Beirut blast |last=Han |first=Esther |date=5 August 2020 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073613/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-sends-2-million-in-aid-to-lebanon-after-beirut-blast-20200805-p55iyv.html |url-status=live }} Azerbaijan,{{Cite news |url=https://report.az/xarici-siyaset/azerbaycan-livana-maliyye-yardimi-gosterecek/ |title=Azərbaycan Livana maliyyə yardımı göstərəcək |language=az |work=Report Information Agency |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073637/https://report.az/xarici-siyaset/veten-muharibesi-amerika-universitetinin-diqqet-merkezinde/ |url-status=live}} Bangladesh,{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/bangladesh-air-force-plane-reaches-beirut-food-and-medical-relief-1942777|title=Bangladesh Air Force plane reaches Beirut with food and medical relief|website=The Daily Star|date=10 August 2020|access-date=12 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073627/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/bangladesh-air-force-plane-reaches-beirut-food-and-medical-relief-1942777|url-status=live}} Brazil,{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/12ea65fee7606260167af25156a7cacc |title=The Latest: Lebanese government declares two-week emergency |website=AP News |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806005514/https://apnews.com/12ea65fee7606260167af25156a7cacc |url-status=live}} Canada,{{cite web| url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-government-announces-additional-humanitarian-aid-to-lebanon-1.5059009| title=Trudeau government announces additional humanitarian aid to Lebanon| date=10 August 2020| website=ctvnews.ca| access-date=11 August 2020| archive-date=11 August 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811095754/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-government-announces-additional-humanitarian-aid-to-lebanon-1.5059009| url-status=live}} China,{{cite web|title=China offers emergency humanitarian assistance to Lebanon|url=http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2020/08-07/9258378.shtml|access-date=8 August 2020|website=Chinanews|language=zh|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917165117/http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2020/08-07/9258378.shtml|url-status=live}} Cyprus, Czech Republic,{{cite web|url=https://news.expats.cz/weekly-czech-news/czech-republic-to-send-a-search-and-rescue-team-to-beirut-following-tuesdays-explosion/ |title=Czech Republic to send a search and rescue team to Beirut following Tuesday's explosion |date=5 August 2020 |website=Expats.cz |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806060548/https://news.expats.cz/weekly-czech-news/czech-republic-to-send-a-search-and-rescue-team-to-beirut-following-tuesdays-explosion/ |url-status=live}} Denmark,{{cite web|last=Christian|first=W|title=Denmark gives aid to Lebanon following explosion|url=http://cphpost.dk/?p=117314/|access-date=8 August 2020|website=CPH Post|date=6 August 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021051511/http://cphpost.dk/?p=117314%2F|url-status=live}} France,{{cite news|url=http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/118515/Elysee-France-sends-medical-team-equipment-to-assist-Lebanon|title=Elysee: France Sends Medical Team, Equipment to Assist Lebanon|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|work=Lebanese National News Agency|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073711/http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/118515/Elysee-France-sends-medical-team-equipment-to-assist-Lebanon|url-status=live}} Germany,{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/beirut-explosion-live-updates-half-of-city-affected-by-damage/a-54443532 |title=Beirut explosion live updates: Half of city affected by damage |author= |date=5 August 2020 |website=Deutsche Welle |access-date=6 August 2020 |quote=Germany has dispatched search and rescue specialists to Lebanon to assist seeking survivors trapped beneath rubble of the explosion. |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073608/https://www.dw.com/en/beirut-blast-live-updates-half-of-lebanons-capital-affected-by-damage/a-54443532 |url-status=live}} Greece,{{cite news |last=Claus |first=Patricia |date=5 August 2020 |title=Greece Sends Rescue Team, Equipment to Beirut After Blast |url=https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/08/05/greece-sends-rescue-team-equipment-to-beirut-after-blast/ |work=Greek Reporter |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073609/https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/08/05/greece-sends-rescue-team-equipment-to-beirut-after-blast/ |url-status=live}} Hungary, Iran,{{cite news|url=http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/118526/Iranian-Embassy-We-stand-by-Lebanon-aid-plane-to-arrive-today|title=Iranian Embassy: We Stand by Lebanon, Aid Plane to Arrive Today|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|work=Lebanese National News Agency|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073615/http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/118526/Iranian-Embassy-We-stand-by-Lebanon-aid-plane-to-arrive-today|url-status=live}} Iraq, Israel, Italy,{{cite news |title=Esplosione a Beirut, l'Italia invia due aerei con aiuti umanitari |language=it |url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/mondo/esplosioni-a-beirut-litalia-invia-due-aerei-con-aiuti-umanitari_21545216-202002a.shtml |access-date=6 August 2020 |agency=tgcom24.mediaset.it |publisher=tgcom24.mediaset.it |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073618/https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/mondo/esplosioni-a-beirut-litalia-invia-due-aerei-con-aiuti-umanitari_21545216-202002a.shtml |url-status=live }} Jordan,{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/strong-lebanon-global-support-deadly-beirut-blast-200805100421240.html|title='Stay strong, Lebanon': Global support over deadly Beirut blast|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|work=Al Jazeera English|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140752/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/strong-lebanon-global-support-deadly-beirut-blast-200805100421240.html|url-status=live}} Kuwait,{{cite news|url=http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/118514/Aid-plane-from-Kuwait-lands-in-Beirut|title=Aid Plane from Kuwait Lands in Beirut|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|work=Lebanese National News Agency|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073603/http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/118514/Aid-plane-from-Kuwait-lands-in-Beirut|url-status=live}} Morocco,{{cite web|last=Guerraoui|first=Saad|date=7 August 2020|title=Morocco sends tonnes of emergency aid to Lebanon {{!}} Saad Guerraoui|url=https://middle-east-online.com/en/morocco-sends-tonnes-emergency-aid-lebanon|access-date=10 April 2021|website=Middle East Online|language=en|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410151907/https://middle-east-online.com/en/morocco-sends-tonnes-emergency-aid-lebanon|url-status=live}} Netherlands,{{cite web |url=https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2020/08/06/dutch-search-and-rescue-team-en-route-to-lebanon |title=Dutch search and rescue team en route to Lebanon |author= |date=5 August 2020 |website=Government.nl |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807185004/https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2020/08/06/dutch-search-and-rescue-team-en-route-to-lebanon |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/6068796/nederland-stuurt-reddingsteam-van-67-specialisten-naar-beiroet.html |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020 |title=Nederland stuurt reddingsteam van 67 specialisten naar Beiroet |language=nl |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073613/https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/6068796/nederland-stuurt-reddingsteam-van-67-specialisten-naar-beiroet.html |url-status=live}} Norway, Pakistan,{{cite web |title=Beirut blast: Top Pakistani diplomat speaks with Lebanese counterpart |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/top-pakistan-diplomat-speaks-with-lebanese-counterpart/1934909 |website=Anadolu Agency |access-date=7 August 2020 |date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810145609/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/top-pakistan-diplomat-speaks-with-lebanese-counterpart/1934909 |url-status=live }} Poland, Qatar, Romania,{{cite news|url=https://actmedia.eu/daily/the-two-romanian-aircraft-with-donations-arrived-in-beirut/88005|title=The two Romanian aircraft with donations arrived in Beirut|newspaper=ACTMedia — Romanian Business News|date=10 August 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101012010/https://actmedia.eu/daily/the-two-romanian-aircraft-with-donations-arrived-in-beirut/88005|url-status=live}} Russia,{{Cite news|date=5 August 2020|title=First Russian flight leaves for Beirut with rescuers, doctors and hospital aboard|url=https://tass.com/society/1186163|access-date=7 August 2020|publisher=TASS|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806210232/https://tass.com/society/1186163|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Russian teams search rubble from Beirut explosion |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/07/russian-teams-search-rubble-from-beirut-explosion |work=Euronews |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810050556/https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/07/russian-teams-search-rubble-from-beirut-explosion |url-status=live}} Saudi Arabia,{{cite web |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/08/07/Beirut-explosion-Saudi-Arabia-opens-air-bridge-to-Lebanon-first-two-aid-planes-sent |title=Beirut explosion: Saudi Arabia opens air bridge to Lebanon, first two aid planes sent |website=Al Arabiya |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809114515/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/08/07/Beirut-explosion-Saudi-Arabia-opens-air-bridge-to-Lebanon-first-two-aid-planes-sent |url-status=live }} Syria,{{cite web|url=https://www.jpnews-sy.com/ar/news.php?id=190561|title=Syria sends ambulances to rescue people injured in Beirut|website=JPnews-Sy|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073619/https://www.jpnews-sy.com/ar/news.php?id=190561|url-status=live}} Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,{{cite web |url=https://www.arnnewscentre.ae/news/uae/uae-sends-emergency-medical-aid-to-lebanon/ |title=UAE sends emergency medical aid to Lebanon |website=ARN News Agency |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824022332/https://www.arnnewscentre.ae/news/uae/uae-sends-emergency-medical-aid-to-lebanon/ |url-status=live }} United Kingdom, and United States.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/4983a5f4237d22b46549d17724e5b392 |title=US aid begins flowing to Lebanon in wake of deadly explosion |website=AP News |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807182807/https://apnews.com/4983a5f4237d22b46549d17724e5b392 |url-status=live}} Intergovernmental organizations which sent aid include the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.}} On 9 August, a multinational summit hosted by France raised 253 million euros in aid.{{Cite journal|last=Devi|first=Sharmila|date=August 2020|title=Lebanon faces humanitarian emergency after blast |journal=The Lancet |language=en |volume=396 |issue=10249 |page=456 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31750-5 |pmc=7426079 |pmid=32798477}} The money pledged was not to be given to the Lebanese government, but rather to the people of Lebanon through the United Nations, other international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.{{cite web|last=Azhari|first=Timour|title=Lebanon aid summit raises $300m to be given 'directly' to people|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/nations-pledge-aid-lebanon-people-200809162756001.html|access-date=9 August 2020|website=Al Jazeera|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809200829/https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/nations-pledge-aid-lebanon-people-200809162756001.html|url-status=live}} On 14 August, a $565 million appeal for Lebanon was launched by the United Nations, including initial recovery efforts, as well as immediate humanitarian aid.{{cite web |title=FBI team arrives this weekend to take part in Beirut probe |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beirut-explosion-probe-fbi-team-arrives-this-weekend-lebanon/ |access-date=18 August 2020 |work=CBS News |date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817210849/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beirut-explosion-probe-fbi-team-arrives-this-weekend-lebanon/ |url-status=live }}
In the first week after the explosion, civilians gathered in hundreds to volunteer to clean up the debris on the streets and inside homes and businesses in Gemmayze, Achrafieh, and Karantina neighbourhoods. Many civil society organizations offered equipment and food to the volunteers, while many residents and businesses opened their homes and hotels for free to those who lost their homes in the blast.{{Cite news |last=Dadouch |first=Sarah |title=They return to homes damaged in Beirut's blast to discover someone has already cleaned them |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/they-return-to-homes-damaged-in-beiruts-blast-to-discover-someone-has-already-cleaned-them/2020/08/10/85c3bda0-db04-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html |access-date=14 August 2020 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814232457/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/they-return-to-homes-damaged-in-beiruts-blast-to-discover-someone-has-already-cleaned-them/2020/08/10/85c3bda0-db04-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html |url-status=live }}
UNESCO played a leading role in the rescue and reconstruction of historic buildings, with Blue Shield International assessing the damage to houses, museums and libraries, and the International Council of Museums providing expertise. Blue Shield International, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces put together a project to secure and protect cultural assets. According to Karl von Habsburg, founding president of Blue Shield International, the protection of cultural property in Beirut was not only about securing buildings, but also about preventing looting and water damage, taking dangerous chemical substances into account. The efforts also included the restoration of schools.{{cite web|url=http://www.peacekeeper.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Beirut-Blast.pdf|title=Der "Beirut Blast" und "Blue Helmet – Blue Shield"|access-date=30 August 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929062336/http://www.peacekeeper.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Beirut-Blast.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Unesco, Icom and Louvre rally to help Beirut as museums tackle extensive explosion damage|url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/beirut-museums-size-up-the-explosion-damage|access-date=30 August 2020|website=www.theartnewspaper.com|date=17 August 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928151429/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/beirut-museums-size-up-the-explosion-damage|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unifeed/asset/2577/2577900/ |title=UN peacekeepers in partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Blue Shield International in Lebanon |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073632/https://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unifeed/asset/2577/2577900/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.krone.at/2216068 |title="Beirut: Habsburg koordiniert Kulturgüterschutz" (German: Beirut – Habsburg coordinates the protection of cultural property) |date=23 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827041040/https://www.krone.at/2216068 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-concludes-heritage-protection-mission-beirut |title=UNIFIL concludes heritage protection mission in Beirut |date=30 October 2020 |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130235346/https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-concludes-heritage-protection-mission-beirut |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=27 August 2020 |title=UNESCO: Beirut blast damaged 160 schools; 85,000 students unable to attend classes |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200827-unesco-beirut-blast-damaged-160-schools-85000-students-unable-to-attend-classes/ |access-date=30 August 2020 |website=Middle East Monitor |archive-date=31 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831043142/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200827-unesco-beirut-blast-damaged-160-schools-85000-students-unable-to-attend-classes/ |url-status=live }}
On 6 August 2020, the Lebanese Forces Party's executive chairman Samir Geagea was the first politician to visit Beirut[https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/2020/08/06/%D8%AC%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85 "جعجع عن انفجار بيروت: طرف ما خزن تلك المواد القاتلة"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125114057/https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/2020/08/06/%D8%AC%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85 |date=25 January 2022 }}, Al Arabiya, Lebanon, 6 August 2020 and launched from there a relief committee, Ground-0, under the leadership of the former minister Dr. May Chidiac to support in rebuilding Beirut. In December 2020, the committee achieved repairing 709 houses, assisted 5300 individuals and 2300 families, distributed 14000 food rations, made 2540 medical consultations, and provided 2030 individuals with medicine. In addition, the committee distributed more than 150 scholarships for Beirut schools' students.{{cite web |author=جبران خليل جبران |url=https://groundzerobeirut.org/ |title=Ground Zero Beirut |publisher=Ground Zero Beirut |date= |accessdate=3 August 2022 |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813004945/https://groundzerobeirut.org/ |url-status=live }}
Reactions
= Domestic =
Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced that 5 August, the day after the explosion, would be a national day of mourning.{{cite journal |title=Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab declares national day of mourning Wednesday, after Beirut blast |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Aug-04/509854-lebanons-prime-minister-hassan-diab-declares-national-day-of-mourning-wednesday-after-beirut.ashx |journal=The Daily Star |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140718/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Aug-04/509854-lebanons-prime-minister-hassan-diab-declares-national-day-of-mourning-wednesday-after-beirut.ashx |url-status=live }} The Lebanese government declared a two-week state of emergency.{{cite web |title=Lebanon Declares 2-Week State of Emergency After Deadly Blast |publisher=VOA News |date=6 August 2020 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_lebanon-declares-2-week-state-emergency-after-deadly-blast/6193943.html |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073647/https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/lebanon-declares-2-week-state-emergency-after-deadly-blast |url-status=live }} President Aoun said the government would provide support to displaced people, and the Ministry of Health would meet the expense of treatment for the wounded.{{cite web |last1=Cheeseman |first1=Abbie |last2=Suliman |first2=Adela |last3=Mulligan |first3=Matthew |title=Massive explosion rocks Beirut, causing injuries and widespread damage |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/large-explosion-rocks-port-area-beirut-cause-unclear-n1235767 |website=NBC News |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804160912/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/large-explosion-rocks-port-area-beirut-cause-unclear-n1235767 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |url-status=live }} Marwan Abboud, the governor of Beirut, said he arrived at the scene to search for firefighters who were on the site attempting to control the fire that was raging before the second explosion. He broke down in tears on television, calling the event "a national catastrophe".{{r|Hubbard}} "It resembles to what happened in Japan, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That's what [it] reminds me of. In my life, I haven't seen destruction on this scale," he said.{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl#h_fb0a148e912e72debb03e78d5c211362 |title=Beirut explosion rocks Lebanon's capital |website=CNN|date=4 August 2020 |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806194144/https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-live-updates-dle-intl/h_fb0a148e912e72debb03e78d5c211362 |url-status=live}} Lebanese civilians from every region in Lebanon came to help by offering food, cleaning the streets, and helping NGOs.{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/beirut-blast-lebanons-young-helping-the-countrys-most-desperate/a-54575279 |title=Beirut blast: Lebanon's young helping the country's most desperate |website=Deutsche Welle |access-date=19 January 2021 |archive-date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014231802/https://www.dw.com/en/beirut-blast-lebanons-young-helping-the-countrys-most-desperate/a-54575279 |url-status=live}}
Multiple members of the Lebanese parliament resigned in protest, including Marwan Hamadeh,{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/05/Beirut-blasts-Lebanese-MP-Marwan-Hamadeh-resigns-says-government-ineffective-.html|title=Beirut blasts: Lebanese MP Marwan Hamadeh resigns, says 'government ineffective'|date=5 August 2020|website=Al Arabiya English|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806225926/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/05/Beirut-blasts-Lebanese-MP-Marwan-Hamadeh-resigns-says-government-ineffective-.html|url-status=live}} Paula Yacoubian,{{cite web |title=Police fire tear gas to break up Beirut protest: Live updates |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/60-missing-beirut-mega-blast-live-updates-200808061240497.html |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=8 August 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814123647/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/60-missing-beirut-mega-blast-live-updates-200808061240497.html |url-status=live }} all three Kataeb Party MPs, Neemat Frem,{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html|title=Second day of protests as anger over Beirut explosion grows: Live|author1=Ted Regencia |author2=Arwa Ibrahim |author3=Farah Najjar|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810134427/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html|url-status=live}} Michel Moawad,{{r|jazeera.live.2020.08.09}} Dima Jamali,{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/09/Lebanese-government-on-verge-of-collapse-with-more-resignations-expected.html|title=Lebanese government on verge of collapse after 3 ministers, 8 MPs resign|date=9 August 2020|website=Al Arabiya English|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810015850/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/09/Lebanese-government-on-verge-of-collapse-with-more-resignations-expected.html|url-status=live}} and Henri Helou.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/beirut-police-fire-tear-gas-protesters-regroup-live-updates-200810010528285.html|title='Endemic corruption' caused Beirut blast, says Diab: Live updates|author1=Ted Regencia |author2=Linah Alsaafin |author3=Ramy Allahoum |website=Al Jazeera|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917212136/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/beirut-police-fire-tear-gas-protesters-regroup-live-updates-200810010528285.html|url-status=live}} The Lebanese ambassador to Jordan, Tracy Chamoun, also resigned on live television.{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/06/Lebanon-s-ambassador-to-Jordan-resigns-on-live-TV-after-Beirut-explosions.html|title=Lebanon's ambassador to Jordan resigns on live TV, cites rampant corruption|date=6 August 2020|website=Al Arabiya English|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809050750/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/08/06/Lebanon-s-ambassador-to-Jordan-resigns-on-live-TV-after-Beirut-explosions.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-orders-house-arrest-officials-beirut-blast-live-200805230752876.html|title=LIVE: France's Macron says Lebanon aid won't go to the 'corrupt'|author1=Arwa Ibrahim |author2=Ramy Allahoum|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=4 February 2021|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921042358/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-orders-house-arrest-officials-beirut-blast-live-200805230752876.html|url-status=live}} On the night of 6 August, the protests against the government that had been ongoing since the previous October resumed, with dozens of protestors near the parliament building calling for the resignation of Lebanese government officials.{{r|jazeera.live.2020.08.06}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53688975|title=Anti-government protests break out in Beirut|date=7 August 2020|website=BBC|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117064758/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53688975|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author1=Ted Regencia |author2=Arwa Ibrahim |author3=Farah Najjar|title=Second day of protests as anger over Beirut explosion grows: Live|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html|access-date=10 August 2020|website=Al Jazeera|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810134427/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Hubbard|first1=Ben|last2=El-Naggar|first2=Mona|date=8 August 2020|title=Clashes Erupt in Beirut at Blast Protest as Lebanon's Anger Boils Over|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/08/world/middleeast/Beirut-explosion-protests-lebanon.html|access-date=10 August 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809192640/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/08/world/middleeast/Beirut-explosion-protests-lebanon.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Ben Wedeman|author2=Luna Safwan|author3=Ghazi Balkiz|author4=Tamara Qiblawi|title=Lebanon protesters storm ministries as violent protests grip Beirut|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/middleeast/beirut-judgment-day-protests-intl/index.html|access-date=10 August 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809211657/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/middleeast/beirut-judgment-day-protests-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} On 8{{nbsp}}August, Diab called for early elections, saying it would be the only way for the country to exit the crisis.{{r|jazeera.live.2020.08.08}}
On 9 August, the information minister of Lebanon, Manal Abdel Samad, and then the environment minister, Damianos Kattar, resigned, the first government resignations since the explosion.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/lebanon-information-minister-manal-abdel-samad-quits-in-first-cabinet-resignation-explosion|title=Lebanon information minister quits in first cabinet resignation|access-date=9 August 2020|website=The Guardian|date=9 August 2020|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113153343/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/lebanon-information-minister-manal-abdel-samad-quits-in-first-cabinet-resignation-explosion|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Regencia|first1=Ted|last2=Ibrahim|first2=Arwa|last3=Najja|first3=Farah|date=9 August 2020|title=Second day of protests as anger over Beirut explosion grows: Live|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html|access-date=9 August 2020|website=Al Jazeera|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810134427/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html|url-status=live}} On 10 August, the justice minister, Marie-Claude Najm, also resigned, followed by the resignation of the entire Lebanese cabinet.{{r|jazeera.live.2020.08.10}}{{Cite news|title=Lebanese cabinet resigns amid political fallout from Beirut explosion|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/third-lebanese-minister-resigns-amid-political-fallout-from-beirut-explosion-1.9060949|access-date=10 August 2020|newspaper=Haaretz|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810105845/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/third-lebanese-minister-resigns-amid-political-fallout-from-beirut-explosion-1.9060949|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=10 August 2020|title=Beirut blast: Lebanese government resigns over explosion|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/10/beirut-blast-lebanese-government-resigns-over-explosion-says-health-minister|access-date=10 August 2020|website=euronews|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901180525/https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/10/beirut-blast-lebanese-government-resigns-over-explosion-says-health-minister|url-status=live}} Shortly after the resignation of the cabinet, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab stepped down from office.{{cite web|date=10 August 2020|title=Lebanese PM steps down in wake of Beirut explosion, protests|url=https://apnews.com/598da05d3907aa58399c86ff85a9babc|access-date=10 August 2020|website=AP NEWS|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810115016/https://apnews.com/598da05d3907aa58399c86ff85a9babc|url-status=live}} President Michel Aoun accepted the resignation of the government and the Prime Minister, and asked the government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed.{{cite web|title=Lebanon's president accepts gov't resignation after Beirut blast|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-pm-hassan-diab-resigns-anger-beirut-blast-200810135202076.html|access-date=10 August 2020|website=Al Jazeera|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913160045/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-pm-hassan-diab-resigns-anger-beirut-blast-200810135202076.html|url-status=live}}
The Ground-0 Relief Committee, an initiative by the Lebanese Forces Party, launched a petition for an international investigation.[https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1230833/may-chidiac-lance-une-petition-pour-une-enquete-internationale.html "May Chidiac lance une pétition pour une enquête internationale"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125120654/https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1230833/may-chidiac-lance-une-petition-pour-une-enquete-internationale.html |date=25 January 2022 }}, L'Orient-Le Jour, Lebanon, 29 August 2020 The petition was signed by the relatives of the victims and the missing, by the injured as well as by those whose homes, businesses, or establishments have been damaged. The document was sent to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, through his special coordinator for Lebanon, Ján Kubiš, in order to take the necessary steps to appoint an international commission of inquiry.[https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2020/09/17/may-chidiac-214/ "عريضة من "Ground-0" لكوبيش للمطالبة بتحقيق دولي في انفجار المرفأ"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125120655/https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2020/09/17/may-chidiac-214/ |date=25 January 2022 }}, [http://www.lebanese-forces.com Lebanese Forces Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125123530/http://www.lebanese-forces.com/ |date=25 January 2022 }}, Lebanon, 16 September 2020
The Lebanese Forces Party MPs called for an international investigation into the causes of the double explosion at the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020. They asked the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, on 22 February 2021 for the creation of an international commission to be established under the United Nations, which would be responsible for carrying out the investigations. The Members of Parliament, Georges Okais, Imad Wakim, Eddy Abillammaa, and Fady Saad, presented a petition to this effect to the United Nations Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Najat Rochdi.[https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1252917/les-fl-presentent-une-petition-pour-la-creation-dune-commission-denquete-internationale.html "Les FL présentent une pétition pour la création d'une commission internationale d'établissement des faits"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125122725/https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1252917/les-fl-presentent-une-petition-pour-la-creation-dune-commission-denquete-internationale.html |date=25 January 2022 }}, L'Orient-Le Jour, Lebanon, 23 February 2021
= International =
File:Tel Aviv City Hall - Lebanon Flag.jpg, in Israel, lit up with the colors of the Lebanese flag on 5 August 2020]]
File:Azadi Tower 2020 Beirut explosions.jpg, in Iran, lit up with the colors of the Lebanese flag on 6 August 2020]]
Representatives of multiple countries, as well as the United Nations (UN),{{cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=UNIFIL statement on the explosion in Beirut|url=https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-statement-explosion-beirut|access-date=5 August 2020|publisher=UNIFIL|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073635/https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-statement-explosion-beirut|url-status=live}} offered condolences. In addition to those countries which provided aid, others offered to do so.{{efn|Sri Lanka donated 1,675 kilos of Ceylon tea to those affected by the Beirut blast; however, the gift was distributed to the families of the soldiers in the Presidential Guard Brigade.{{cite web |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1732161/middle-east |title=Storm in a teacup: Lebanon's president and 1,675 kilos of finest Ceylon brew |website=Arab News |date=24 August 2020 |access-date=11 September 2020 |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910123125/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1732161/middle-east |url-status=live }} In addition, 12 tons of fish donated by Mauritania were not distributed to the public, as the army only mentioned that they "stored it according to public safety standards".{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/beirut-explosion-lebanon-aoun-sri-lanka-tea-donation-guards |title=Beirut explosion: Trouble brewing for Lebanon's president after Sri Lankan tea gift |website=Middle East Eye |date=9 September 2020 |access-date=9 October 2020 |archive-date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010030353/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/beirut-explosion-lebanon-aoun-sri-lanka-tea-donation-guards |url-status=live }} Iraq has sent 13,000 tons of wheat/flour to Lebanon;{{cite web |url=https://www.the961.com/iraq-13000-tons-wheat-lebanon/ |title=Iraq Is Sending More Than 13,000 Tons Of Wheat To Lebanon |website=The961 |date=August 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028044634/https://www.the961.com/iraq-13000-tons-wheat-lebanon/ |url-status=live }} however, 7,000 tons of them were poorly stockpiled in the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.the961.com/7000-tons-iraq-flour-lebanon-stored-poorly-beirut/ |title=7,000 Tons Of Iraqi Donated Flour Were Just Found Poorly Stored & Damaged In Beirut Stadium |website=The961 |date=6 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108045602/https://www.the961.com/7000-tons-iraq-flour-lebanon-stored-poorly-beirut/ |url-status=live }}}} Notably, Israel offered aid via UN channels, as Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic ties and are technically at war;{{cite web|title=Israel not behind Beirut blast, sources on both sides say; at least 10 killed|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-4-2020/|access-date=4 August 2020|website=The Times of Israel|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140812/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-4-2020/|url-status=live}} the offer was refused by the Lebanese government. Former Israeli Member of Knesset Moshe Feiglin hailed the tragedy as a gift from God, celebrating the incident and describing it as a "spectacular firework show."{{cite news |title=Prominent Israelis are angry at a solidarity gesture for Beirut victims |url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/prominent-israelis-are-angry-at-a-solidarity-gesture-for-beirut-victims-38694/amp |access-date=14 October 2021 |work=TRT World |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027133535/https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/prominent-israelis-are-angry-at-a-solidarity-gesture-for-beirut-victims-38694/amp |url-status=live }} Despite years of conflict, including the 2006 Lebanon War,{{cite news |title=Why Israel Is Probably Not Responsible For The Beirut Explosion |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2020/08/04/was-israel-responsible-for-the-beirut-explosion/ |work=Forbes |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805154519/https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2020/08/04/was-israel-responsible-for-the-beirut-explosion/ |url-status=live }} both Israel and senior Hezbollah officials ruled out Israeli involvement in the explosion, despite claims and allegations spread via social media.{{cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=Lübnan'ın başkenti Beyrut'ta patlama|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/lubnanin-baskenti-beyrutta-patlama/1931375|access-date=4 August 2020|publisher=Anadolu Agency|language=tr|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808140726/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/lubnanin-baskenti-beyrutta-patlama/1931375|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Boxerman|first=Aaron|date=4 August 2020|title=Israeli involvement in massive Beirut port blast ruled out by both sides|work=The Times of Israel|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-involvement-in-massive-beirut-blast-ruled-out-by-both-sides/|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073624/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-involvement-in-massive-beirut-blast-ruled-out-by-both-sides/|url-status=live}}{{efn|In the meantime, Die Welt reported, according to the intelligence information, that Hezbollah received a total of 270 tons of ammonium nitrate on 16 July 2013, delivered from Iran to Lebanon. On 23 October of the same year, another 270 tons of ammonium nitrate were delivered, in addition to a third delivery, which made the three deliveries equal to a quantity of 630 to 670 tons of ammonium nitrate. The second delivery was transported by plane, probably by Mahan Air, while the other deliveries were made by sea or land, for example across the Syrian border. Mohammad Qasir who has been responsible for Hezbollah's logistics for 20 years was also responsible for paying for the ammonium nitrate deliveries.{{cite news |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article213884822/Libanon-Die-explosive-Spur-fuehrt-zur-Hisbollah.html |title=Die explosive Spur führt zur Hisbollah |website=Die Welt |language=de |date=19 August 2020 |access-date=19 September 2020 |archive-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916222620/https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article213884822/Libanon-Die-explosive-Spur-fuehrt-zur-Hisbollah.html |url-status=live |last1=Böhmer |first1=Daniel-Dylan }} In September 2020, the U.S. state department's counterterrorism coordinator, Nathan Sales, mentioned in a video appearance at the American Jewish Committee that: "I can reveal that such [Hezbollah weapons] caches have been moved through Belgium to France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. I can also reveal that significant ammonium nitrate caches have been discovered or destroyed in France, Greece, and Italy".{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/17/us-accuses-hezbollah-weapons-ammonium-nitrate-iran |title=US accuses Hezbollah of stockpiling weapons and ammonium nitrate across Europe |website=The Guardian |date=17 September 2020 |access-date=19 September 2020 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920004555/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/17/us-accuses-hezbollah-weapons-ammonium-nitrate-iran |url-status=live }}}}
The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters was activated on 5{{nbsp}}August, thus providing for widespread usage of various corporate, national, and international satellite assets on a humanitarian basis. Several countries expressed solidarity by lighting up landmarks and monuments in the colors of the Lebanese flag, including the Tel Aviv City Hall,{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-tel-aviv-mayor-announces-solidarity-with-lebanon-slammed-by-right-wing-lawmakers-1.9049005|access-date=5 August 2020|date=5 August 2020|title=Tel Aviv Shows Solidarity With Lebanon, Drawing Right-wing Ire|last=Peleg|first=Bar|work=Haaretz|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806060553/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-tel-aviv-mayor-announces-solidarity-with-lebanon-slammed-by-right-wing-lawmakers-1.9049005|url-status=live}}{{efn|Others include the Belfast City Hall,{{cite news|last=McMullan|first=Ross|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/letters/having-lived-lebanon-i-am-shocked-explosion-tragedy-nation-i-came-love-2935821|access-date=7 August 2020|date=7 August 2020|title=Having lived in Lebanon, I am shocked at this explosion tragedy in a nation I came to love|work=The News Letter|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809111449/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/letters/having-lived-lebanon-i-am-shocked-explosion-tragedy-nation-i-came-love-2935821|url-status=live}} the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Great Pyramid near Giza,{{cite news|last=Chawla|first=Medha|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/beirut-explosion-burj-khalifa-and-giza-pyramids-light-up-in-solidarity-with-the-victims-1708087-2020-08-05|access-date=5 August 2020|date=5 August 2020|title=Beirut explosion: Burj Khalifa and Giza Pyramids light up in solidarity with the victims|work=India Today|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805151227/https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/beirut-explosion-burj-khalifa-and-giza-pyramids-light-up-in-solidarity-with-the-victims-1708087-2020-08-05|url-status=live}} the King Road Tower in Jeddah,{{cite web |url=https://www.okaz.com.sa/variety/na/2036081 |title=تعبيراً عن تضامنها.. علم لبنان يضيء معالم السعودية والإمارات |website=Okaz |language=ar |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807072412/https://www.okaz.com.sa/variety/na/2036081 |url-status=live }} the Kuwait Towers in Kuwait City,{{cite news|last=Al Mulla|first=Yasmena|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-sends-36-tonnes-of-medical-aid-to-beirut-after-horrific-explosion-1.73027391|access-date=6 August 2020|date=6 August 2020|title=Kuwait sends 36 tonnes of medical aid to Beirut after horrific explosion|work=Gulf News|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807051158/https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-sends-36-tonnes-of-medical-aid-to-beirut-after-horrific-explosion-1.73027391|url-status=live}} the Los Angeles City Hall,{{cite news|last=Bandler|first=Aaron|url=https://jewishjournal.com/news/320025/l-a-city-hall-will-light-up-with-lebanese-flag-to-show-support-over-beirut-blast/|access-date=6 August 2020|date=6 August 2020|title=L.A. City Hall Lit Up With Lebanese Flag to Show Support Over Beirut Blast|work=The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928173714/https://jewishjournal.com/news/320025/l-a-city-hall-will-light-up-with-lebanese-flag-to-show-support-over-beirut-blast/|url-status=live}} the headquarters of the Palestine Broadcasting Corporation in Ramallah,{{cite news|url=http://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/118759|access-date=6 August 2020|date=6 August 2020|title=In a show of solidarity, Palestine Broadcasting Corporation building in Ramallah lit with the Lebanese flag|work=Palestinian News & Information Agency|archive-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914043935/https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/118759|url-status=live}} the Sydney Opera House,{{cite web|title=Sydney Opera House lights up with Lebanese cedar in solidarity with Beirut|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/sydney-opera-house-lights-up-with-lebanese-cedar-in-solidarity-with-beirut|access-date=12 August 2020|website=SBS News|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812042015/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sydney-opera-house-lights-up-with-lebanese-cedar-in-solidarity-with-beirut|url-status=live}} the Azadi Tower in Tehran,{{cite news|last=Aali|first=Fatemeh|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/photo/161951/Lebanon-s-flag-projected-on-Azadi-Tower-as-sign-of-solidarity|access-date=5 August 2020|date=5 August 2020|title=Lebanon's flag projected on Azadi Tower as sign of solidarity|work=Mehr News Agency|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930142025/https://en.mehrnews.com/photo/161951/Lebanon-s-flag-projected-on-Azadi-Tower-as-sign-of-solidarity|url-status=live}} and the National Assembly and Yerevan City Hall in Yerevan.{{cite news|url=http://asbarez.com/195980/armenias-parliament-building-lit-up-in-solidarity-with-lebanon/|access-date=7 August 2020|date=7 August 2020|title=Parliament, City Hall Buildings in Yerevan Lit Up in Solidarity with Lebanon|work=Asbarez|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073654/http://asbarez.com/195980/armenias-parliament-building-lit-up-in-solidarity-with-lebanon/|url-status=live}}}} whereas the Eiffel Tower in Paris went dark at midnight,{{cite news |last1=Sedgwick |first1=Justin |title=Eiffel Tower in Paris goes dark in show of solidarity with Beirut after massive explosion |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/eiffel-tower-in-paris-goes-dark-in-show-of-solidarity-with-beirut-after-massive-explosion |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=FOX 5 |date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028082839/https://www.fox5dc.com/news/eiffel-tower-in-paris-goes-dark-in-show-of-solidarity-with-beirut-after-massive-explosion |url-status=live }} and the Arab League flew its flag at its headquarters in Cairo at half-mast.{{cite web |url=https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_publicaffairs/details/2020/8/5/1846501/الجامعة-العربية-تنكس-علمها-حدادا-على-ضحايا-انفجار-بيروت |title=الجامعة العربية تنكس علمها حدادا على ضحايا انفجار بيروت |website=masrawy.com |language=ar |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027064440/https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_publicaffairs/details/2020/8/5/1846501/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%83%D8%B3-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B6%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA |url-status=live }} Some figures from the right-wing criticized the display of the flag of Lebanon, an "enemy state", in Tel Aviv. There was also backlash inside Lebanon against the Israeli gesture.{{Cite news |title='We'll light up Tel Aviv ... with our rockets': Lebanese rebuff Israeli solidarity |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/theyll-destroy-our-country-lebanese-unmoved-by-tel-aviv-show-of-solidarity/ |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807150045/https://www.timesofisrael.com/theyll-destroy-our-country-lebanese-unmoved-by-tel-aviv-show-of-solidarity/ |url-status=live }}
Following the explosion, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom sent search and rescue teams.{{Cite news |date=2020-08-09 |title=Factbox: Countries rally round Lebanon after Beirut blast |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-reaction-factb-idUSKCN2550CU |access-date=2022-08-18}} Egypt sent several planes with tons of medical aid and food to Lebanon. The Egyptian embassy also established a field hospital.{{Cite web |title=Egypt's field hospital in Beirut receives wounded of Lebanon's blast |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/376010/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-field-hospital-in-Beirut-receives-wounded-o.aspx |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Ahram Online}}{{Cite web |title=Countries offer help to Lebanon following massive Beirut explosion |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2020/08/countries-organizations-help-lebanon-explosion-beirut-france.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=www.al-monitor.com – Al Monitor |date=5 August 2020 |language=en}} On 5 August 2020, Qatar started providing urgent medical aid. The Qatari Emiri Air Force delivered field hospitals, respirators, and generators to Beirut.{{Cite web |title=Qatar sends field hospitals to Lebanon |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/08/06/qatar-sends-field-hospitals-to-lebanon.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=The Jakarta Post |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-05 |title=Qatar sends field hospitals to Lebanon |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200805-qatar-sends-field-hospitals-to-lebanon |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=France 24 |language=en}} In addition, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani donated {{Currency|50 million|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} to Lebanon.{{Cite web |last=Qarjouli |first=Asmahan |date=2022-08-04 |title=Qatar, Lebanon mull ports cooperation as Beirut marks blast anniversary |url=https://dohanews.co/qatar-lebanon-mull-ports-cooperation-as-beirut-marks-blast-anniversary/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2020-08-09 |title=Qatar Gives $50 Million to Lebanon, Plans to Help Rebuild Beirut |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-09/qatar-gives-50-million-to-lebanon-plans-to-help-rebuild-beirut |access-date=2022-08-18}} On 6 August 2020, Kuwait provided 36 tonnes of urgent humanitarian and medical aid to Lebanon including wheelchairs, blood bags, and 10 ambulances.{{cite web |title=Kuwait sends 36 tonnes of medical aid to Beirut after horrific explosion |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-sends-36-tonnes-of-medical-aid-to-beirut-after-horrific-explosion-1.73027391 |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=gulfnews.com |date=6 August 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=9 August 2020 |title=Factbox: Countries rally round Lebanon after Beirut blast |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-reaction-factb-idUSKCN2550CU |access-date=12 May 2022}}
As a result of the explosion, concerns were raised about the storage of ammonium nitrate in other ports across the world.{{Cite news|title=Beirut explosion: Where else is ammonium nitrate being stored?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-53721136|last1=Giles|first1=Christopher|date=21 August 2020|access-date=3 September 2020|work=BBC News (BBC Reality Check)|last2=Menon|first2=Shruti|last3=Ali|first3=Zulfiqar|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073659/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-53721136|url-status=live}} Large quantities of the chemical compound were removed from storage in Egypt, India, Romania, and Senegal.{{Cite news |date=29 August 2020 |title=Senegal to Move 3,000 Tons of Explosive Chemical From Port |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-29/beirut-blast-pushes-senegal-to-move-explosive-chemical-from-port |access-date=3 September 2020 |archive-date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903052734/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-29/beirut-blast-pushes-senegal-to-move-explosive-chemical-from-port |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Adam |title=After Beirut, ports around the world searched for dangerous chemicals. Some didn't like what they found. ce |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/08/21/after-beirut-ports-around-world-searched-dangerous-chemicals-some-didnt-like-what-they-found/ |access-date=3 September 2020 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=6 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906152652/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/08/21/after-beirut-ports-around-world-searched-dangerous-chemicals-some-didnt-like-what-they-found/ |url-status=live }}{{efn|Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi ordered the formation of a committee to remove hazardous inventories accumulated at the border ports.{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200807-iraq-clears-ports-of-hazardous-materials-following-beirut-blast/ |title=Iraq clears ports of 'hazardous materials' following Beirut blast |website=Middle East Monitor |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=4 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904103200/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200807-iraq-clears-ports-of-hazardous-materials-following-beirut-blast/ |url-status=live }} Subsequently, hazardous material was removed from storage inside Umm Qasr Port.{{cite web |url=https://www.shafaaq.com/en/Iraq-News/To-avoid-Beirut-s-scenario-Iraq-evacuates-hazardous-material-from-Umm-Qasr-port |title=To avoid Beirut's scenario, Iraq evacuates hazardous material from Umm Qasr port |website=shafaaq.com |date=2 September 2020 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204073704/https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq-News/To-avoid-Beirut-s-scenario-Iraq-evacuates-hazardous-material-from-Umm-Qasr-port |url-status=live }}}}
On April 30, 2021, German firm Combi Lift which had loaded its ship with 59 containers of hazardous substances left Beirut port for disposal in Europe.{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-beirut-ship-carrying-hazardous-materials-to-soon-depart-for-germany/a-57394538 |title=Beirut ship soon headed for Germany after port blast |publisher=DW |date=30 April 2021 }}
In August 2021, a memorial event marking the one-year-anniversary of the explosion was held in tribute to the victims at the Port of Beirut, joined by UN officials and International Labour Organization Regional Director Ruba Jaradat.{{cite web|date=4 August 2021|title=ILO honours the victims of the Beirut port explosion|url=http://www.ilo.org/beirut/media-centre/multimedia/WCMS_816032/lang--en/index.htm|access-date=22 September 2021|website=www.ilo.org|language=en}}
In December 2021, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Environment Programme, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, International Labour Organization, and International Maritime Organization held a seminar in follow-up to the explosion.{{cite web|date=14 December 2021|title=بعد انفجار مرفأ بيروت في 2020.. كيف يمكن الاستفادة من دروس تخزين ونقل المواد الخطرة؟|url=https://news.un.org/ar/story/2021/12/1089702|access-date=15 December 2021|website=www.news.un.org|language=ar}} National governments of Lebanon, Estonia, France, South Africa, and others shared lessons learned from the explosion. The seminar called for action to better manage the risks of chemicals in ports.{{cite web|date=14 December 2021|title=In follow-up to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, UN/OECD seminar calls for action to better manage the risks of hazardous substances in port areas and beyond|url=https://unece.org/environment/press/follow-2020-beirut-port-explosion-unoecd-seminar-calls-action-better-manage-risks|access-date=15 December 2021|website=www.unece.org|language=en}}
= Conspiracy theories =
Numerous conspiracy theories emerged on social media in the days following the explosion.{{cite news |last=Spring |first=Marianna |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/53669029 |title=Beirut explosion: How conspiracy theories spread on social media |publisher=BBC News Online |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=4 August 2021}} The main themes were that there was a significant weapons cache belonging to Hezbollah stored at the Port of Beirut, and that Israel wished to destroy those weapons. The theories said that Israel launched an attack and the level of destruction took them by surprise. Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah all denied this theory, and blame the ammonium nitrate stored in the port.{{cite news |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-involvement-in-massive-beirut-blast-ruled-out-by-both-sides/ |title=Israeli involvement in massive Beirut port blast ruled out by both sides |work=The Times of Israel |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=4 August 2021}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite journal |last=Majzoub |first=Aya |date=2021-08-03 |title='They Killed Us from the Inside': An Investigation into the August 4 Beirut Blast |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/08/03/they-killed-us-inside/investigation-august-4-beirut-blast |journal=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}
External links
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- [https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-in-pictures Beirut Explosion – in Pictures] by The Guardian
- [https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/middleeast/gallery/beirut-explosion/index.html In Pictures: Huge Explosion Rocks Beirut] by CNN
- [https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2020/08/04/899084152/photos-explosion-leaves-beirut-in-shatters Photos: Explosion Leaves Beirut in Shatters] by NPR
- [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/beirut-lebanon-explosions-photos.html The Lebanon Explosions in Photos] by The New York Times
- [https://time.com/5875675/photos-lebanon-aftermath-explosion-beirut/ Explosion in Beirut: Photos From a City Still Reeling From the Blast] by Time
- [https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/05/world/satellite-images-beirut-explosion-before-after-trnd/index.html Before and after satellite photos] from CNN
- [https://archive.today/20200810014807/http://www.portdebeyrouth.com/media/k2/items/cache/51a3864ed3ad604d2340c3f8fe249f94_XL.jpg Map of the Port of Beirut] with several warehouses numbered, including Warehouse 12 next to the silos
- [https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/beirut-port-explosion Forensic Architecture overview]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s54_MF2XPk Slow-motion footage of the blast]
- {{EQ-isc-link|618708494}}
{{Ammonium nitrate disasters}}
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Category:Ammonium nitrate disasters
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Category:August 2020 in Lebanon
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Category:Maritime incidents in 2020