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Terrorist bombing in Beirut just now... (Original Post) brooklynite Aug 2020 OP
Wow that's big. underpants Aug 2020 #1
Different view BGBD Aug 2020 #2
Wow Sympthsical Aug 2020 #3
Possible it was sarisataka Aug 2020 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author BGBD Aug 2020 #14
Not a terrorist bombing. They're saying it was a fire at a fireworks warehouse. Drunken Irishman Aug 2020 #4
The red smoke looked BGBD Aug 2020 #7
Yeah this looks like an accident Takket Aug 2020 #8
There's also other video where it looks like fireworks are going off after being triggered. Drunken Irishman Aug 2020 #13
Yet another reason to just love fireworks (if that is in fact what this was) NightWatcher Aug 2020 #6
The tall building near the explosion BGBD Aug 2020 #9
So fireworks blew up a grain silo? NightWatcher Aug 2020 #10
IDK BGBD Aug 2020 #17
and the video below BGBD Aug 2020 #18
I'm thinking cement silos, possibly explaining the white mushroom cloud. KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #21
"apparently tied to an absentia trial of Hezbollah members" melman Aug 2020 #11
A bombing, you say? WhiskeyGrinder Aug 2020 #12
Another view Takket Aug 2020 #15
You can see the warehouse fire going rapidly out of control in this video.... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #27
Horrendous. Small comfort if it's an accident. crickets Aug 2020 #30
I have seen nothing saying this was terrorism other than your post, care to share your receipts? Celerity Aug 2020 #16
The only source I've seen was a report on BBC from about six hours ago, not definitively tying... George II Aug 2020 #20
Here's a better one with more info on The Guardian.... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #22
If you look at one of the videos posted (via Twitter) there were dozens of following flashes.... George II Aug 2020 #23
Just found one. See Post #27, above. KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #29
it couldn't have been 6 hours ago, the explosions happened less than 2 hours ago Celerity Aug 2020 #25
"Port warehouse area" Renew Deal Aug 2020 #19
Terrorist? Dennis Donovan Aug 2020 #24
Big tell, homie greenjar_01 Aug 2020 #26
This has now definitively been determined to be a fireworks explosion sparked by.... George II Aug 2020 #28
Most likely it was a hezbollah weapon factory/whse Mosby Aug 2020 #31
The ammonium nitrate was removed from a ship in 2014 (associated w/ Russia) Dennis Donovan Aug 2020 #34
Thx for the info. Mosby Aug 2020 #36
Crooked Russians. Dennis Donovan Aug 2020 #37
Dude. nt Codeine Aug 2020 #32
Yeah, no self-delete even after being proven wrong Dennis Donovan Aug 2020 #33
Good luck with that. BannonsLiver Aug 2020 #35

Sympthsical

(9,073 posts)
3. Wow
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 11:52 AM
Aug 2020

What the heck did they use?! I've never seen a terrorist bomb like that before.

Trial in absentia? That's like some Cersei Lannister shit.

sarisataka

(18,633 posts)
5. Possible it was
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 11:57 AM
Aug 2020

a thermobaric explosion. Complicated to get it right but creates a very large explosion.

Edit> details in further videos indicate this likely isn't what happened. There was a previous explosion and ongoing fire. Those conditions would probably have prematurely set off the aerosol of a thermobaric weapon before it could disperse to cause the large explosion.

Response to sarisataka (Reply #5)

Takket

(21,563 posts)
8. Yeah this looks like an accident
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:01 PM
Aug 2020

There is already a plume of Smoke were filming before the explosion. So They probably saw something on fire, pulled out their phones and then boom.

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
6. Yet another reason to just love fireworks (if that is in fact what this was)
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 11:59 AM
Aug 2020

You can see in some of the videos a lot of small explosions before the big one. If I hadn't seen the small explosion, I would've thought the worlds largest grain silo blew up.

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
10. So fireworks blew up a grain silo?
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:04 PM
Aug 2020

I saw a small one explode in South Georgia (video) and it was insane like that, but smaller.

 

BGBD

(3,282 posts)
17. IDK
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:10 PM
Aug 2020

looks like the main fire was behind the silos in that picture, but to me it looks like the big explosion happens inside the silo because it seems to be coming apart before the cloud covers it all.

 

BGBD

(3,282 posts)
18. and the video below
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:12 PM
Aug 2020

shows that the explosion was from the warehouse sitting just next to the silos and didn't involve them.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,490 posts)
21. I'm thinking cement silos, possibly explaining the white mushroom cloud.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:26 PM
Aug 2020

Looked like the huge explosion just behind them obliterated those silos.

Brings back memories of the big 1947 Texas City blow up which I believe was ammonium nitrate. Also the one in West, Texas in 2013.

KY

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,490 posts)
27. You can see the warehouse fire going rapidly out of control in this video....
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:44 PM
Aug 2020


Another one showing wounded people and area damage....


Many people their in shock.

KY......... ..........

crickets

(25,969 posts)
30. Horrendous. Small comfort if it's an accident.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 01:35 PM
Aug 2020

Someone linked a Guardian article that reports that at least 10 people are dead and wounded are unable to get help because the nearby hospital is destroyed. Poor Beirut. This is just awful.


I don't know what to think of this picture:




George II

(67,782 posts)
20. The only source I've seen was a report on BBC from about six hours ago, not definitively tying...
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:17 PM
Aug 2020

...this to the verdict.

The verdict will be announced on Friday, three days from now.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53656220

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,490 posts)
22. Here's a better one with more info on The Guardian....
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:33 PM
Aug 2020
Huge explosion in Beirut shatters windows and rocks buildings

Source of blast, which apparently occurred around the Lebanese capital’s port, is unclear


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/huge-explosion-beirut-lebanon-shatters-windows-rocks-buildings

Snips....
The source of the blast which appeared to occur around the Lebanese capital’s port is currently unclear. Cars were left strewn across the surrounding highway. No casualty toll has yet been given but eyewitnesses told LBC television that at least dozens were injured and hospitals were full of injured people.

Lebanon’s health minister told journalists a ship carrying fireworks had blown up in the port, though the size of the blast heard across the country raised suspicions it might have resulted from a rocket strike or detonation of explosives - deliberate or otherwise.

An enormous cloud of smoke could be seen from across the city and eyewitnesses said there were reports of a fire and several smaller explosions at the port that preceded the large blast after 6pm on Tuesday.


KY

George II

(67,782 posts)
23. If you look at one of the videos posted (via Twitter) there were dozens of following flashes....
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:37 PM
Aug 2020

...which may be because it contained fireworks.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,490 posts)
29. Just found one. See Post #27, above.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:49 PM
Aug 2020

Being that close, I seriously doubt that guy survived the blast without very serious injury.

KY

Celerity

(43,341 posts)
25. it couldn't have been 6 hours ago, the explosions happened less than 2 hours ago
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:42 PM
Aug 2020

Beirut is one hour ahead of us here in Stockholm, so they happened around 18 00 local time there

George II

(67,782 posts)
28. This has now definitively been determined to be a fireworks explosion sparked by....
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 12:47 PM
Aug 2020

....a warehouse fire nearby.

Apparently no terrorism involved.

Mosby

(16,306 posts)
31. Most likely it was a hezbollah weapon factory/whse
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 01:55 PM
Aug 2020

Last edited Tue Aug 4, 2020, 02:54 PM - Edit history (1)

that's what multiple ME sources are saying.

Or it could be this, I'm a little skeptical.











Dennis Donovan

(18,770 posts)
34. The ammonium nitrate was removed from a ship in 2014 (associated w/ Russia)
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 09:09 AM
Aug 2020
http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/08/04/beirut-port-explosion-in-close-proximity-witness-video/

Aug 5 0730 UTC UPDATE: Three ships were berthed near explosion site, AIS of all these ships are off during last 14-16 hours, immediately or shortly after, the blast. General cargo ship MERO STAR, IMO 8321682, dwt 4110; general cargo ship RAOUF H, IMO 8325535, dwt 6343; Livestock carrier JOURI, IMO 9174775, GT 4033.

Aug 5 UPDATE:
In Jul 2014, I’ve been asked by one of Russian national newspapers to investigate the story of general cargo ship RHOSUS, stranded in Beirut with cargo of ammonium nitrate, following the letter they received from the Captain of the ship. That’s what I found out:

General cargo vessel RHOSUS called Beirut, Lebanon, in October last year. Vessel loaded with ammonium nitrate was destined for another country, the reason she called Beirut is unclear, maybe for supplies or due to some mechanical trouble. RHOSUS was detained after PSC inspection, which found a number of deficiencies. Since then vessel is stranded in Beirut. By now only four crew stay on board – Master (Russian nationality), Chief and Third Engineers and Bosun, all of them Ukrainians. Vessel was owned and operated by Mr. Grechushkin Igor, Russian citizen now Cyprus resident (last known manager Teto Shipping, Cyprus). RHOSUS actually, is abandoned – owner doesn’t communicate, doesn’t pay salaries, doesn’t provide supplies. Owner of the cargo declared abandonment, too. Beirut authorities don’t permit the remaining crew to leave the vessel and fly to home. The reason is obvious, port authorities don’t want to be left with abandoned vessel on their hands, loaded with dangerous cargo, explosives, in fact. Why don’t they want to arrest vessel with cargo, to release the crew and replace it with temporary local crew, is unclear.

</snip>


https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2014/4194/crew-kept-hostages-floating-bomb-mv-rhosus-beirut/



General cargo vessel RHOSUS called Beirut, Lebanon, in October last year. Vessel loaded with ammonium nitrate was destined for another country, the reason she called Beirut is unclear, maybe for supplies or due to some mechanical trouble. RHOSUS was detained after PSC inspection, which found a number of deficiencies. Since then vessel is stranded in Beirut. By now only four crew stay on board – Master (Russian nationality), Chief and Third Engineers and Bosun, all of them Ukrainians. Vessel was owned and operated by Mr. Grechushkin Igor, Russian citizen now Cyprus resident (last known manager Teto Shipping, Cyprus). RHOSUS actually, is abandoned – owner doesn’t communicate, doesn’t pay salaries, doesn’t provide supplies. Owner of the cargo declared abandonment, too. Beirut authorities don’t permit the remaining crew to leave the vessel and fly to home. The reason is obvious, port authorities don’t want to be left with abandoned vessel on their hands, loaded with dangerous cargo, explosives, in fact. Why don’t they want to arrest vessel with cargo, to release the crew and replace it with temporary local crew, is unclear.
Russian and Ukrainian authorities do nothing, while as it seems, their involvement is a must, in order to achieve some kind of agreement with Beirut authorities, and work out a joint plan either to replace the crew with locals unconditionally, or finance the crew and vessel until she’s auctioneed.

</snip>

BannonsLiver

(16,370 posts)
35. Good luck with that.
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 09:39 AM
Aug 2020

Some of us love the smell of our own brand more than others around here. Will leave it at that.

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