On 4 August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, exploded, causing at least 203 deaths, 6,500 injuries, and US$15 billion in property damages, and leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless.

What was the cause?

Lebanon's Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, blamed the detonation on 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that he said had been stored unsafely at a warehouse in the port.

Background :-

The economy of Lebanon was in a state of crisis before the explosions, with the government having defaulted on debt, the pound plunging, and a poverty rate that had risen past 50%.

Casualties :-

203 people were confirmed dead (with an additional three missing), and more than 6,500 people were injured. Foreigners from at least 22 countries were among the casualties.

Damage :-