Wounded people sit on a street following an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. Two huge explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut, wounding dozens of people, shaking buildings and sending huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Lebanese media carried images of people trapped under rubble, some bloodied, after the massive explosions, the cause of which was not immediately known. (Photo by Marwan Tahtah/apaimages/SIPA/Sipa USA)
Lebanon: Explosion rocks Beirut
BEIRUT (AP) — Documents show warnings were raised at least 10 times over the past six years about the massive stockpile of explosive chemicals stored at Beirut’s port. But authorities did nothing until it blew up this week, wreaking destruction over the Lebanese capital.
Lebanon’s president, in office since 2016, says he first heard of the stockpile nearly three weeks ago and immediately ordered that action be taken. But he says he has no authority over the facility.
The circle of negligence ultimately led to the explosion of the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate on Tuesday, obliterating the city’s main commercial hub and spreading death and devastation.
