General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTerrorist bombing in Beirut just now...
Link to tweet
(apparently tied to an absentia trial of Hezbollah members)
underpants
(182,988 posts)I thought it was a mushroom cloud at first.
BGBD
(3,282 posts)Sympthsical
(9,167 posts)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
(18,883 posts)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)
BGBD This message was self-deleted by its author.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)BGBD
(3,282 posts)like it could have been from potassium chloride, which is used in fireworks.
Takket
(21,677 posts)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.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)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.
BGBD
(3,282 posts)is a grain silo, fwiw.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I saw a small one explode in South Georgia (video) and it was insane like that, but smaller.
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)shows that the explosion was from the warehouse sitting just next to the silos and didn't involve them.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,498 posts)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
melman
(7,681 posts)What's your source on this?
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,487 posts)Takket
(21,677 posts)KY_EnviroGuy
(14,498 posts)Link to tweet
Another one showing wounded people and area damage....
Link to tweet
Many people their in shock.
KY......... ..........
crickets
(25,989 posts)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:
Link to tweet
Celerity
(43,682 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)...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
(14,498 posts)Source of blast, which apparently occurred around the Lebanese capitals port, is unclear
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/huge-explosion-beirut-lebanon-shatters-windows-rocks-buildings
Snips....
Lebanons 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)...which may be because it contained fireworks.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,498 posts)Being that close, I seriously doubt that guy survived the blast without very serious injury.
KY
Celerity
(43,682 posts)Beirut is one hour ahead of us here in Stockholm, so they happened around 18 00 local time there
Renew Deal
(81,893 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)Perhaps check your sources first?
greenjar_01
(6,477 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)....a warehouse fire nearby.
Apparently no terrorism involved.
Mosby
(16,401 posts)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.
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)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, Ive 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. Thats 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 doesnt communicate, doesnt pay salaries, doesnt provide supplies. Owner of the cargo declared abandonment, too. Beirut authorities dont permit the remaining crew to leave the vessel and fly to home. The reason is obvious, port authorities dont want to be left with abandoned vessel on their hands, loaded with dangerous cargo, explosives, in fact. Why dont they want to arrest vessel with cargo, to release the crew and replace it with temporary local crew, is unclear.
</snip>
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 doesnt communicate, doesnt pay salaries, doesnt provide supplies. Owner of the cargo declared abandonment, too. Beirut authorities dont permit the remaining crew to leave the vessel and fly to home. The reason is obvious, port authorities dont want to be left with abandoned vessel on their hands, loaded with dangerous cargo, explosives, in fact. Why dont 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 shes auctioneed.
</snip>
Mosby
(16,401 posts)this is pretty bizarre.
Who abandons a ship?
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)Codeine
(25,586 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,542 posts)Some of us love the smell of our own brand more than others around here. Will leave it at that.