The events leading up to the catastrophic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon that killed more than 135 and injured 5,000, began in November 2013, when the cargo ship MV Rhosus, loaded with 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, made an unplanned stop in Beirut.. [177][178] In addition, the general manager of the port Hassan Koraytem and the former director general of Lebanon's customs authority Shafiq Merhi were arrested. In view of the serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions, we reaffirm our request to please request the marine agency to re-export these goods immediately to preserve the safety of the port and those working in it, or to look into agreeing to sell this amount ... On the afternoon of 4 August 2020, a fire broke out in Warehouse 12 at the Port of Beirut. [62][63][d], An independent estimate by the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization based on infrasonic data obtained an explosive yield equivalent to 0.5–1.1 kt of TNT. [6][7] The Beirut Naval Base is a part of the port. [11][34] One of the letters sent in 2016 noted that judges had not replied to previous requests, and pleaded:[11]. [253], As a result of the explosion, concerns were raised about the storage of ammonium nitrate in other ports across the world. [196] On 9 August, a multinational summit hosted by France raised 253 million euros in aid. [10][11][12][13][14] Rhosus was owned by a company based in Panama but was regarded by the captain as under the de facto ownership of Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin. ", "I understand - they wanted the money. [10][11][18][31] The MV Rhosus sank in the harbour in February 2018. [37][38] On arrival the fire crew reported there was "something wrong" as the fire was huge and produced "a crazy sound". Interpol has issued red notices for the captain and owner of the ship that carried 2,750 tonnes of explosive material and devastated Beirut in an explosion in August, killing 200 people, Lebanese media reported.. Those named are Igor Grechushkin, a Russian businessman and apparent owner of the MV Rhosus that brought the ammonium nitrate into Beirut in 2013, as well as the ship’s … [158][167] The livestock carrier Jouri and the cargo ships Mero Star and Raouf H were also close to the blast and suffered serious damage; AIS from these ships stopped broadcasting at the time of the explosion. [117][118][162], The edible-oil tanker ship Amadeo II was nearest to the explosion, which deposited the mangled remains of the ship on a nearby quay. [b][11] Letters had been sent on 27 June and 5 December 2014, 6 May 2015, 20 May and 13 October 2016, and 27 October 2017. For the Beirut explosions in 1983, see, Aftermath of the explosion, with the destroyed grain silos to the left and the flooded. [159][161], The Bangladesh Navy corvette BNS Bijoy, which participated in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, was also damaged. But they wouldn't release it. [215][216] On the night of 6 August, the protests against the government that had been ongoing since the previous October resumed, with dozens of protestors near the parliament building calling for the resignation of Lebanese government officials. [28] The ship had accrued port fees and been fined for refusing cargo. [132][138] Dozens of injured people brought to nearby hospitals could not be admitted because of the damage to the hospitals. Use promocode DONATEBLOOD for a free ride to and from the hospital or the blood donations center", "Beirut blast: Lebanese volunteers band together to clean up, help residents", "Iran's Red Crescent Erects Field Hospital in Lebanon", "Armenia to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon – PM's spokesperson", "Australia sends $2 million in aid to Lebanon after Beirut blast", "Bangladesh Air Force plane reaches Beirut with food and medical relief", "Azərbaycan Livana maliyyə yardımı göstərəcək", "Trudeau government announces additional humanitarian aid to Lebanon", "China offers emergency humanitarian assistance to Lebanon", "Denmark gives aid to Lebanon following explosion", "Elysee: France Sends Medical Team, Equipment to Assist Lebanon", "Iranian Embassy: We Stand by Lebanon, Aid Plane to Arrive Today", "The Latest: Lebanese government declares two-week emergency", "Esplosione a Beirut, l'Italia invia due aerei con aiuti umanitari", "Beirut blast: Top Pakistani diplomat speaks with Lebanese counterpart", "The two Romanian aircraft with donations arrived in Beirut", "The Latest: Russia sends doctors, equipment to Lebanon", "First Russian flight leaves for Beirut with rescuers, doctors and hospital aboard", "Beirut explosion: Saudi Arabia opens air bridge to Lebanon, first two aid planes sent", "Syria sends ambulances to rescue people injured in Beirut", "UAE sends emergency medical aid to Lebanon", "US aid begins flowing to Lebanon in wake of deadly explosion", "Czech Republic to send a search and rescue team to Beirut following Tuesday's explosion", "Beirut explosion live updates: Half of city affected by damage", "Greece Sends Rescue Team, Equipment to Beirut After Blast", "Nederland stuurt reddingsteam van 67 specialisten naar Beiroet", "Dutch search and rescue team en route to Lebanon", "Russian teams search rubble from Beirut explosion", "Lebanon faces humanitarian emergency after blast", "Lebanon aid summit raises $300m to be given 'directly' to people", "FBI team arrives this weekend to take part in Beirut probe", "They return to homes damaged in Beirut's blast to discover someone has already cleaned them", "Der "Beirut Blast" und "Blue Helmet – Blue Shield, "Unesco, Icom and Louvre rally to help Beirut as museums tackle extensive explosion damage", UN peacekeepers in partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Blue Shield International in Lebanon, "Beirut: Habsburg koordiniert Kulturgüterschutz" (German: Beirut - Habsburg coordinates the protection of cultural property), UNIFIL concludes heritage protection mission in Beirut, "UNESCO: Beirut blast damaged 160 schools; 85,000 students unable to attend classes", "Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab declares national day of mourning Wednesday, after Beirut blast", "Lebanon Declares 2-Week State of Emergency After Deadly Blast", "Massive explosion rocks Beirut, causing injuries and widespread damage", "Hezbollah launches a blood donation campaign in favor of those injured in Beirut explosion, calls for a wide participation", "Beirut blasts: Lebanese MP Marwan Hamadeh resigns, says 'government ineffective, "Police fire tear gas to break up Beirut protest: Live updates", "Second day of protests as anger over Beirut explosion grows: Live", "Lebanese government on verge of collapse after 3 ministers, 8 MPs resign", "Lebanon's ambassador to Jordan resigns on live TV, cites rampant corruption", "LIVE: France's Macron says Lebanon aid won't go to the 'corrupt, "Anti-government protests break out in Beirut", "Clashes Erupt in Beirut at Blast Protest as Lebanon's Anger Boils Over", "Lebanon protesters storm ministries as violent protests grip Beirut", "Lebanon information minister quits in first cabinet resignation", "Lebanese cabinet resigns amid political fallout from Beirut explosion", "Beirut blast: Lebanese government resigns over explosion", "Lebanese PM steps down in wake of Beirut explosion, protests", "Lebanon's president accepts gov't resignation after Beirut blast", "Lebanon's Prime Minister-Designate Resigns Amid Stalemate", "UNIFIL statement on the explosion in Beirut", "Storm in a teacup: Lebanon's president and 1,675 kilos of finest Ceylon brew", "Beirut explosion: Trouble brewing for Lebanon's president after Sri Lankan tea gift", "Iraq Is Sending More Than 13,000 Tons Of Wheat To Lebanon", "7,000 Tons Of Iraqi Donated Flour Were Just Found Poorly Stored & Damaged In Beirut Stadium", "Israel not behind Beirut blast, sources on both sides say; at least 10 killed", "Israel uses UN channels to offer aid to Lebanon after deadly Beirut blast", "Why Israel Is Probably Not Responsible For The Beirut Explosion", "Israeli involvement in massive Beirut port blast ruled out by both sides", "US accuses Hezbollah of stockpiling weapons and ammonium nitrate across Europe", "Tel Aviv Shows Solidarity With Lebanon, Drawing Right-wing Ire", "Having lived in Lebanon, I am shocked at this explosion tragedy in a nation I came to love", "Beirut explosion: Burj Khalifa and Giza Pyramids light up in solidarity with the victims", "تعبيراً عن تضامنها.. علم لبنان يضيء معالم السعودية والإمارات", "Kuwait sends 36 tonnes of medical aid to Beirut after horrific explosion", "L.A. City Hall Lit Up With Lebanese Flag to Show Support Over Beirut Blast", The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, "In a show of solidarity, Palestine Broadcasting Corporation building in Ramallah lit with the Lebanese flag", "Sydney Opera House lights up with Lebanese cedar in solidarity with Beirut", "Lebanon's flag projected on Azadi Tower as sign of solidarity", "Parliament, City Hall Buildings in Yerevan Lit Up in Solidarity with Lebanon", "Eiffel Tower in Paris goes dark in show of solidarity with Beirut after massive explosion", "الجامعة العربية تنكس علمها حدادا على ضحايا انفجار بيروت", "Beirut explosion: Where else is ammonium nitrate being stored? Many civil society organizations offered equipment and food to the volunteers, while many residents and businesses opened their homes and hotels for free to those who lost their homes in the blast. [201][202][203][204][205][206], Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced that 5 August, the day after the explosions, would be a national day of mourning. [176], On 5 August, the Council agreed to place sixteen Beirut port officials who had overseen storage and security since 2014 under house arrest, overseen by the army, pending the investigation into the explosions. Hazardous materials found at port (Imagery post event)", "Lebanese Army Just Found Over 4 Tons Of Explosive Material Near Beirut Port", "Dozens killed, thousands wounded in Beirut blast: Live updates", "What Is Ammonium Nitrate, Blamed in the Beirut Explosion? [173], The government formed an investigation committee led by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, which will submit its findings to the Council of Ministers of Lebanon by 11 August. [188] In January 2021, Interpol issued Red Notices[j] against the two Russians as well as a Portuguese man. [186][187], In September, Lebanon's state prosecution asked Interpol to detain two Russian citizens, the captain and the owner of Rhosus, as its cargo of ammonium nitrate was blamed for the explosion. They had been forced to live aboard the ship for about a year. Everything We Know About the Site Following Deadly Explosion", "Beirut explosion: Legendary Palestinian banker envisaged silos that shielded his adopted city from more destruction", "m/v Rhosus – Arrest and Personal Freedom of the Crew", "Beirut blast: Tracing the explosives that tore the capital apart", "How ship's deadly cargo ended up at Beirut port", "How did so much ammonium nitrate make it to Port of Beirut? .css-1snjdh1-IconContainer{display:none;height:0.875em;width:0.875em;vertical-align:-0.0625em;margin-right:0.25em;}Beirut blast: City explosion causes widespread damage, Russia's Navalny returning home after poisoning. The MV Rhosus had docked in Beirut in 2013 after suffering technical problems while sailing from Georgia to Mozambique. Video, Tips for helping your child's mental health. [252] Some figures from the Israeli right-wing criticized the display of the flag of Lebanon, an "enemy state", in Tel Aviv. VIDEO", "Hapag-Lloyd's Beirut office completely destroyed, staff safe", "Beirut Explosions: The CMA CGM Group expresses deepest emotion and solidarity towards its on-site staff and all of the Lebanese people", "Shipping Group CMA CGM Says Missing Beirut Staff Member Died", "Beirut airport damaged in explosion, but flights continue", "Beirut Airport Continues Operation Despite Heavy Damage", "Lebanese officials deflect blame as anger grows over Beirut blast", "Lebanon sees possible 'external interference' in port blast", "Lebanon president rejects calls for international blast probe", "Lebanon to place Beirut port officials under house arrest: sources", "Beirut port manager among 16 held in blast probe, judicial source says", "Beirut Port Manager & 15 Others Were Just Arrested", "Lebanese customs chief arrested over Beirut blast", "Beirut Blast Probe Opens With Arrest Order for Port Customs Head", "Lebanon judiciary can handle Beirut explosion probe: Minister", "Lebanon judge orders more arrests over Beirut explosion", "Little-known Lebanese judge Fadi Sawan leads probe into Beirut blast", "Beirut Blast: Investigations with former and current ministers", "Beirut emergency law sparks fears of army crackdown", "Lebanon Asks Interpol to Arrest Russian Ship Captain, Owner Over Port Explosion", "Interpol issues notices over Lebanon's massive port blast", "Beirut Explosion Caused by Fire Kills Dozens, Injures Thousands", "Hundreds reported missing by family members, Health Minister says", "URGENT: All blood types needed in all hospitals and blood donation centers in Beirut. [27] According to Lloyd's List, the Beirut port authority seized the ship on 4 February 2014, due to US$100,000 in unpaid bills. [9], The damage from the blast affected over half of Beirut, with the likely cost above $15 billion and insured losses at around $3 billion. [127] Several countries expressed solidarity by lighting up landmarks and monuments in the colours of the Lebanese flag, including the City Hall of Tel Aviv,[241][m] whereas the Eiffel Tower in Paris went dark at midnight,[251] and the Arab League flew its flag at its headquarters in Cairo at half-mast. Did it stop in Beirut because it had engine problems? Blue Shield International, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces have put together a project to secure and protect cultural assets. [74] An American diplomatic cable on 7 August said it "remains unclear ... whether fireworks, ammunition or something else stored next to the ammonium nitrate might have been involved" in worsening the warehouse fire and igniting the ammonium nitrate.