On 4 August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the Port of Beirut in the capital city of Lebanon exploded, causing at least 218 deaths, 7,000 injuries, and US$15 billion in property damage, as well as leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless. A cargo of 2,750 tonnes of the substance (equivalent to around 1.1 kilotons of TNT) had been stored in a warehouse without proper safety measures for the previous six years after having been confiscated by the Lebanese authorities from the abandoned ship MV Rhosus. The explosion was preceded by a fire in the same warehouse. As of 2022, an investigation by the Lebanese government is ongoing. 

The adjacent grain silos were badly damaged. In July and August 2022, part of the silos collapsed following a weeks-long fire in the remaining grain. 

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.The Beirut Naval Base is a part of the port.The port included four basins, sixteen quays, twelve warehouses,a large container terminal,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. 

 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.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.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.On arrival the fire crew reported 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, sent up a large cloud of smoke and a crackle of bright firework flashes, and heavily damaged the structure of Warehouse 12 itself with a force equivalent to around 1.5–2.5 tons of TNT. 

Final explosion 

The second explosion, 33 to 35 seconds later, was much more substantial and was felt in northern Israel and in Cyprus, 240 kilometers (150 miles) away.It rocked central Beirut and sent a red-orange cloud into the air, which was briefly surrounded by a white condensation cloud.The red-orange color of the smoke was caused by nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of ammonium nitrate decomposition. 

By the next morning, the main fire that led to the explosion had been extinguished. 

Cause 

Warehouses at the Port of Beirut were used to store explosives and chemicals including nitrates, which are common components of fertilizers and explosives.The General Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, said the ammonium nitrate confiscated from Rhosus had exploded.The 2,750 tonnes (3,030 short tons) of ammonium nitrate was the equivalent to around 1,155 tonnes of TNT (4,830 gigajoules).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. 

Casualties 

218 people were confirmed dead from the explosion, and over 7,000 people were injured.Foreigners from at least 22 countries were among the casualties.Also, several United Nations naval peacekeepers who were members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured by the blast.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.At least 150 people became permanently disabled as a result of the explosion. 

The scene to rescue 

As of 9:30 p.m. local time on August 4, 2020 in Lebanon, fires were still burning at the site of the explosion, and firefighting, ambulance and engineering vehicles were rushing to the scene to rescue the injured and clean up the site. The scene was cordoned off by troops and several buildings were damaged. Beirut hospitals have been overwhelmed with emergency care and the injured are being taken to hospitals outside the city. 

On 4 August 2020, Lebanon's Supreme Defence Council declared a state of emergency in Beirut. 

On 17 August 2020, the Lebanese authorities announced the extension of this state of emergency for one month until 18 September. 

Emergency response situation 

Lebanon 

On 4 August 2020, Lebanese Minister of Health Hassan said that due to the limited capacity of hospitals in Beirut, he called for the distribution of casualties to surrounding hospitals and for all medical personnel to participate in treating the wounded. 

On August 4, 2020, Lebanese Prime Minister Mohamed Diab visited the site of the explosion and later declared August 5 a National Day of mourning. The government will release 100 billion lira in emergency relief funds and said Lebanon will seek help from the international community. 

On the evening of August 4, 2020, Lebanese President Michel Aoun posted on the Twitter account of the presidential palace that it was "unacceptable" that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port warehouse for six years and the lack of security measures. He called for a two-week state of emergency in Beirut and severe punishment for those responsible. 

On August 7, 2020, Lebanese President Michel Aoun rejected calls for an international investigation into the Beirut bombing. 

The United Nations 

Following the accident, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences to the victims. 

The President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Mohamed Bandi, also expressed concern over the bombing. He extended his deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the blast and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also expressed solidarity with Lebanon. 

Germany 

The German Foreign Ministry said it could not rule out that German citizens were among those killed or injured in the blast, which took place near the German embassy in Beirut. 

The United States 

On the afternoon of August 4, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump said at a White House press conference that the United States deeply sympathizes with the huge explosion in Beirut, and that his prayers are with all the victims and their families, adding that the United States stands ready to assist Lebanon. 

Russia 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of condolences to Lebanese President Michel Aoun over the explosion in the port district of the Lebanese capital, the Kremlin website said on August 4, 2020. "Please convey sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of the victims and wish all the injured a speedy recovery," Putin said. 

According to RIA Novosti on November 22, 2021, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference after his meeting with his Lebanese counterpart that Russia had handed over satellite images of the Beirut port explosion taken by the Russian aerospace Group to Lebanon. It is hoped that this material will help the Lebanese government in its investigation into the causes of the bombing of the Beirut port on 4 August 2020. Lavrov also said he and the Lebanese foreign minister also discussed the involvement of Russian companies in rebuilding Beirut's port. 

Israel 

On the evening of 4 August 2020, the Israeli Prime Minister's office issued a statement saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after approving the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to Lebanon, would provide further assistance to Lebanon through the UN Special Coordinator. A joint statement from Israel's foreign and defense ministries said Israel has provided humanitarian and medical assistance to the Lebanese government through international security and diplomatic channels. According to Israeli media reports, Israel is providing assistance to Lebanon through channels such as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations and France. Israel has not established diplomatic relations with Lebanon. 

China 

On 5 August 2020, the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon informed that the Chinese peacekeeping force in Lebanon promptly organized officers and soldiers to grasp the situation of the accident, count supplies and machinery, and ensure that they could be dispatched immediately upon receiving rescue orders. 

On 5 August 2020, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference that China was deeply shocked and saddened by the massive explosion in Lebanon that caused a large number of casualties. We express deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the injured and the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. China is ready to help Lebanon properly handle the incident and provide assistance within its capacity for its national development.