In August 2020, a blast has taken place at Beirut killing about one hu

In August 2020, a blast has taken place at Beirut killing about one hundred people and thousand wounded. The blast was caused by

dynamite
ammonium nitrate
RDX
mercury nitride
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2020
The massive explosion that occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, in August 2020 was caused by the detonation of a large quantity of ammonium nitrate (2,750 tonnes) that had been stored improperly at the port for several years.
Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound primarily used in agriculture as a highly soluble source of nitrogen fertilizer. It is also used in the production of explosives, particularly for mining and construction. Under specific conditions (e.g., contamination, confinement, and a strong initiator), it can detonate violently.
The blast caused widespread damage across Beirut, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The incident highlighted issues of negligence and corruption regarding the storage of hazardous materials.
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