#BeirutBlast as we understand the sequence: in 2013 a Moldovan flagged vessel, Rhosus put into Beirut after suffering technical problems. It was en route Mozambique with a cargo of ammonium nitrate - unclear whether it was made for explosive or fertilizer use, it can be both 1/

Not long after Rhosus arrived in Beirut it was impounded, & its Cyprus-based Russian owners gave up on the vessel and its cargo. Given the danger of leaving this potential bomb in place, the Lebanese unloaded and impounded the cargo 2/ https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2014/4194/crew-kept-hostages-floating-bomb-mv-rhosus-beirut/">https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-...

Lebanese customs tried to shift the 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate, to the army or an explosives company for disposal. Today copies of letters sent between 2014 & 2017 alerting people to the dangers of leaving such a volatile cargo in place emerged 3/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/officials-knew-danger-beirut-port-years-200805032416684.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...

As years passed the chemical began to decompose and the dangers increased. Despite this, the customs and government more widely failed to deal with the danger, a 2016 customs memo warning "serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions" 4/

The scene was set for Tuesday& #39;s disaster. Experts believe it highly plausible that a quayside container of fireworks took fire. The initial fire produced multiple bangs + white smoke. The chemical detonation, signature red smoke ENDS https://twitter.com/i/status/1290735149148180483">https://twitter.com/i/status/...