In August 2020, a blast has taken place at Beirut killing about one hundred people and thousand wounded. The blast was caused by
[amp_mcq option1=”dynamite” option2=”ammonium nitrate” option3=”RDX” option4=”mercury nitride” correct=”option2″]
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.