A massive explosion has just hit Beirut, Lebanon (video)

submitted by magnora7 from twitter.com

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[–]magnora7[S] 14 insightful - 3 fun14 insightful - 2 fun15 insightful - 3 fun -  (5 children)

Wow that was like a nuclear bomb almost, that was a much bigger explosion than I ever expected. Holy cow.

Reuters says it occurred in a port area but doesn't give a reason why: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/large-blast-in-beirut-port-area-shakes-lebanons-capital-sources-say-idUSKCN25021M

Another video on twitter (just below the OP video on twitter) shows what look to be fireworks going off right before the big explosion, so it might've been a shipment of fireworks.

[–][deleted] 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

From the rusty coloring of the cloud, I'm gonna assume someone had a few tons of ammonium perchlorate stored too close together or all in one area. Most military explosives don't have that burnt chemical color, they leave dark grey and dirt colored dust clouds. Just my armchair two cents.

[–]magnora7[S] 3 insightful - 3 fun3 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 3 fun -  (3 children)

Nice observation! Google says this about it:

Ammonium perchlorate is used in fireworks, explosives, and rocket motors. Also used by the U.S. military in rockets, explosives, flares and ammunition. The chemistry of the solid rocket booster propellant can be summed up in this reaction: Once ignited, the fuel-burning reaction cannot be stopped.

[–]FediNetizen 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I was watching that periscope stream and the government supposedly just confirmed it was supposed to be ammonium nitrate.

[–]magnora7[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Interesting. Now the only question is was it accidental or intentional... Seems accidental so far based on what little I know

[–]bobbobbybob 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

munitions...