What caused the explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4, 2020?

The explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, was caused by the improper storage of approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse.1

The cargo had been impounded from the merchant vessel MV Rhosus in 2013 after the ship failed to pay port fees. Despite multiple safety warnings from customs officials regarding the volatile nature of the compound—which is commonly used in fertilizers and can decompose explosively when heated in confined spaces—the material remained in the warehouse for years. On the day of the disaster, a fire broke out in the port area near the warehouse, which triggered the detonation of the ammonium nitrate.1

The tragedy, which resulted in 218 deaths and widespread destruction, is widely viewed by residents and international observers as a consequence of systemic government negligence and corruption. To date, no individuals have been held accountable for the incident.1