Angry People Demand Answers From Leaders After Beirut Explosion
Port Authorities Were Informed Regarding The Highly Explosive Compound Being Stored In The Warehouse
The residents of Beirut are demanding a viable explanation after a deadly, non-nuclear explosion on the city’s port on Tuesday, which was allegedly caused due to governmental negligence. According to the President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, the Beirut explosion was caused due to unsafe storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse on the port in the capital city of Lebanon.
Due to this deadly Beirut explosion in the city, around 137 individuals have been killed along with 5,000 people injured after the blast that shook the entire city. It was recorded that the Beirut explosion has caused a shockwave, which was equivalent to an earthquake of 5.7 magnitudes. To prevent further damage to people and residence, a state of emergency has been issued for the upcoming two weeks.
Deadly explosion in a port warehouse
Many people have accused the governmental authorities that this deadly blast in Beirut has occurred due to neglect, mismanagement, and corruption. A French architect named Jean-Marc Bonfils, who has been involved in the rebuilding of the city after the civil war in the country along with a first responder and firefighter Sahar Fares, is confirmed to be some of the first few fatalities caused by the destructive Beirut explosion. A German diplomat’s death has also been confirmed after the blast.
After the massive explosion in the capital city of Lebanon, the general population of the city is suffering mentally, physically, and emotionally. The residents are angry with the government and authorities who are overseeing the city, calling this deadly Beirut explosion as a criminal act. The day following the explosion, the local government has announced that the port officials who have been in charge of the products placed in warehouses have been put under house arrest and will be kept until an investigation is issued regarding the Beirut explosion at the city’s port.
It has been announced by the Supreme Defense Council of the country that those individuals who will be found responsible for the Beirut explosion will face maximum punishment for this lethal tragedy. For the moment, Human Rights Watch, along with Amnesty International, is now conducting an independent, in-depth investigation regarding the deadly Beirut explosion that occurred in the capital city of Lebanon. According to the HRW, they are having serious concerns regarding the judiciary of Lebanon, due to which they are conducting a transparent and credible investigation on their own.
On Thursday, President of France Emmanuel Macron has become the first leader across the world to visit the site of the Beirut explosion. The President was surrounded by a mob while he was walking across the streets of the destroyed city. He also stated to the crowd gathered there that he would never let aid to any corrupt government leader and promised a new political pact from the leaders of the country.
Cause of the Beirut explosion
Ammonium nitrate, a compound commonly used for fertilizing in the agricultural industry and as an explosive. It has been reported that the 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that has been stored for several years in a warehouse located alongside the city port have been unloaded from a ship impound in the year 2013.
The head of customs authority and the head person of the port have told the local media coverage that they have reported a large amount of ammonium nitrate that was the leading cause of the Beirut explosion several times to the judiciary, for the chemical compound to be removed, sold or exported that would help ensure the safety of the port. According to the Port General Manager, the concerning authorities have been aware of the dangers of storing a highly explosive compound, since it was first order in 2013 by the court to be stored in the warehouse.
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