Beirut explosion: Lebanon’s army finds 4.35 tonnes more explosive chemicals

Lebanon’s army reported that it had found 4.35 tonnes of ammonium nitrate near the entrance to the Beirut port, the site of the huge explosion that happened last month. 

The massive explosion had occurred due to the same explosive chemical.

An army statement reported by the state news agency that Lebanese army engineers were “dealing with it”. The statement mentioned that the chemicals were found outside the main entrance nine to the port.

According to the military, experts have found 4.35 tonnes of chemicals in four containers near the port. There were no details about the owner or origin of them. 

It should be remembered that the huge explosion at Beirut port had happened due to 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stacked in unsafe conditions in a port warehouse for years.

Lebanon’s assembly had earlier approved a two-week state of emergency in Beirut on Thursday after the last week’s disastrous incident.

According to the international news agency AFP, Top diplomats jetted in to show solidarity, contribute to the massive ongoing emergency aid effort but also to weigh in on political developments following a blast widely blamed on state corruption.

A top US envoy announced that the FBI would take part in the investigation into the massive explosion that killed 171 people and wounded thousands of people.

Several demonstrators opposed as lawmakers arrived at parliament to approve the emergency. However, they were outnumbered by the security forces.

Lebanese are outraged at the political leadership after the huge shipment of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, a powerful explosive, to deteriorate in a port for years despite safety warnings.