Beirut Explosion

An explosion caused by an accidental fire at a fireworks warehouse killed at least 135 people, wounded more than 5,000, caused widespread destruction and rendered nearly 300,000 people homeless in the Lebanese capital on August 4. The fire ignited a stockpile—2,750 tonnes—of ammonium nitrate stored at the port since 2013. The cargo was confiscated from a ship. The blast could be felt as far off as Cyprus, some 200 km away. It was the most powerful blast ever seen in Beirut, which has survived decades of war and conflict.