Lebanon is in mourning after a huge explosion in its capital Beirut killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 on Tuesday (Aug.4).
The blast rocked the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (4:10 p.m. GMT), shaking buildings all over the city, and causing massive casualties and damages. Hospitals were overwhelmed and many buildings were destroyed. Rescue workers are continuing to search through rubble and the death toll is expected to rise.
The cause of the blast is being investigated. But Lebanon's Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, said the cause of the explosion was 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse for six years. President Michel Aoun tweeted it was "unacceptable" the explosives had been stored unsafely. Lebanon's Supreme Defence Council said those responsible would face the "maximum punishment" possible.
President Aoun declared three days of mourning since Wednesday and called for a two-week state of emergency. He also announced that the government would release 100 billion lira (US$66m) of emergency funds.
Ammonium nitrate has a number of different uses, but the two most common are as an agricultural fertilizer and as an explosive. It is highly explosive when it comes into contact with fire and when it explodes, ammonium nitrate can release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides and ammonia gas.
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