The Explosion That Destroyed Half a City: The Mystery Behind Beirut’s Port Blast

“I can’t believe I’m still alive,” says one of the survivors who lived through the horrific blast that happened in Beirut in 2020.

One of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded took place on August 4, 2020, in Beirut, Lebanon, after around 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored at the port exploded.

Unfortunately, the physical and social impacts of this catastrophic event, which happened during the coronavirus pandemic, were massive. Firstly, to understand the effects of this massive explosion, we must take a look at how ammonium nitrate can become explosive.

Ammonium nitrate can become highly explosive under certain conditions, particularly when exposed to intense heat and fire while stored in confined spaces. In Beirut, a fire at the port eventually caused the large amount of ammonium nitrate stored in the warehouse to explode.

According to the World Health Organization, the blast opened old wounds for a fragile community that was already facing civil unrest and an ongoing socio-economic crisis. The impacts were devastating, with more than 200 people killed, more than 6,000 people injured, and around 300,000 people displaced from their homes.

The Beirut explosion happened mainly because a huge amount of ammonium nitrate had been stored unsafely at the port for more than five years. Even though officials had been warned about the danger, around 2,750 tonnes of the material were kept in a poorly secured warehouse together with other flammable and hazardous materials.

On August 4, 2020, a fire started in the port and eventually led to the ammonium nitrate exploding. The exact cause of the initial fire remains uncertain, although investigators have examined several possible explanations. Therefore, the disaster was not simply the result of one accident; it was also connected to years of poor management, unsafe storage, and failures to act despite the known risks.

The Explosion Was Only the Beginning

Many questions about the explosion and the responsibility of officials remained unanswered for years, contributing to widespread anger among victims’ families and the Lebanese public. In 2026, however, the investigation has moved forward, although the legal process is still ongoing and many families continue to wait for accountability.

Even though protests were held, Lebanese politicians and officials were accused of obstructing or resisting the investigation. Critics have argued that political pressure and concerns about accountability contributed to delays in the process.

Today, even six years after Beirut’s port blast, its impacts are still felt by many people. Families lost loved ones, but why are so many families still waiting for justice? Why has it been so difficult to hold those responsible accountable? For many Lebanese people, these questions are still painful reminders that the victims and their families have not received all the answers they deserve.

Why Does Beirut Still Have So Many Unanswered Questions?

Author: Esma kayran
Editor & Publisher: Lucía Lobato

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