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NEW from the @nytimes international/graphics dream team:
How corruption and dysfunction in Lebanon's government and the port of Beirut allowed the accidental assembly of a massive bomb - and how it blew up, second by second. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/09/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion.html
How corruption and dysfunction in Lebanon's government and the port of Beirut allowed the accidental assembly of a massive bomb - and how it blew up, second by second. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/09/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion.html
The blast was a symptom of a corrupt system in which political powers are so interested milking the port for illicit gains that there is little time left for basic public safety.
The hangar that blew up was a dumping ground for hazardous materials, but had jury-rigged electricity and no alarms or sprinklers.
Stored with thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate were jugs of oil, kerosene and acid; fuse on wooden spools; and tons of fireworks.
Stored with thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate were jugs of oil, kerosene and acid; fuse on wooden spools; and tons of fireworks.
Ammonium nitrate does not normally explode on its own, but usually needs some sort of "detonator." Explosives experts told us that the fireworks seen popping over the hangar could have done the job.
The ammonium nitrate arrived in Beirut's port in 2013 and the ship and its cargo were promptly abandoned by their owners. So in 2014, a judge ordered the cargo unloaded. It ended up in Hangar 12.
Warnings about the cargo's danger began soon after it arrived. The Russian who had chartered the ship sent an email warning of âEXTREMELY DANGEROUS CARGOâ and a law firm added a 15-page Wikipedia entry cataloging âammonium nitrate disastersâ in history.
Still, no one acted.
Still, no one acted.
Part of the problem was the entrenched culture of corruption at the port, where political parties jockey to place their loyalists so they can make money off bribes and help the parties spirit goods through with little or no inspection, multiple port workers and shippers told us.
And get this: since the early 90s, the port has been run by a "temporary committee" appointed by the government. Its six members, who were last changed nearly 20 years ago, have links to political parties and oversee the port with little government oversight.
As the cargo sat idle for 6 years, life went on nearby.
Last year, the Beirut Marathon's women's race took place inside the port. Its 10K course went right by Hangar 12 - twice.
Last year, the Beirut Marathon's women's race took place inside the port. Its 10K course went right by Hangar 12 - twice.
Last September, the U.S. Embassy hosted a reception on an American warship docked in the port, a half-mile from Hangar 12. No one warned the Americans about the materials stored nearby (or they almost certainly would have cancelled the event).
There is no shortage of blame to go around for the blast, with corruption rampant at the port and every government body that could have taken care of the chemicals now accusing others of failing to do so.
Meanwhile, Beirut is deeply wounded, with no clear path to rebuilding.
Meanwhile, Beirut is deeply wounded, with no clear path to rebuilding.
