Thread by @SteveMcfirerisk

Oh my

https://twitter.com/zainabhijazi97/status/1290669240173965313

Any ex weapons technicals online to analyse this #explosion in Beirut today

@PhilipIngMBE @ProSecurityMag @SecurityRollo @UKGoSIP @SIAuk @SyInstitute @ASIS_UK @IFPOUK

https://twitter.com/intelcrab/status/1290671101903872000?s=21

https://t.co/JxZaLiCzR4

Appears Beirut explosion is validated by various sources now as originating in the port area.

sandiegouniontribune.com/news/nation-wo…

Alt clip of Beirut explosion today.

https://twitter.com/zainabhijazi97/status/1290669240173965313?s=21

https://t.co/nguXbWEnk7

Clearest image yet of the #beirutexplosion

Any thoughts @PhilipIngMBE @ProSecurityMag

https://twitter.com/bissancampaigns/status/1290671086951161856?s=21

https://t.co/275Tpmvuzd

https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1290674010628358144?s=21

https://t.co/jXVgbZancB

#Beirutexplosion

https://twitter.com/ajenews/status/1290673551817793536?s=21

https://t.co/o1bq6dRmzr

#Beirutexplosion appears to be a primary explosion of fire with either fireworks or munitions cooking off

Then a massive secondary detonation.

Very dangerous incident for responding emergency services.

https://twitter.com/svnewsalerts/status/1290674216623366144?s=21

https://t.co/KfSGOWrmJI

Useful background article until the cause of the #Beirut explosion is determined.

business-standard.com/article/curren…

Bit of science behind detonations and explosions

lanl.gov/museum/news/ne…

Appears I’m right to hedge my bets on #Beirutexplosion as conflicting reports are comming in

https://twitter.com/svnewsalerts/status/1290680632029466624?s=21

https://t.co/TD1tXcG5Eu

Unusual smoke plume from the #Beirutexplosion

https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1290676666822467584?s=21

https://t.co/ezCIjkEJ63

Live ongoing footage from #BeirutBlast #BeirutExplosion

As dusk breaks thoughts with all impacted & responding #emergencyservices

twitter.com/i/events/12906…

Preliminary reports are suggesting a fireworks facilty was the cause of the #BeirutBlast

Sadly one of many to have occurred in recent times

On 3rd June a Turkish firework factory killed several and injured near 100

dw.com/en/turkey-fire…

Significant concern to #emergencyservices + #bombdissposal team will be the prospect of unstable explosives & secondary explosions.

Again the June 2020 Turkey fireworks armed forces #bombdissposal fatalities are reminder of the lethal hazards.

bbc.com/news/world-eur…

This Mexico firework market explosion in 2016 killed 31 & injured atleast 70

Note the different smoke plume and explosive range in this incident

theguardian.com/world/video/20…

A smaller firework factory explosion occurred in China - July 2020

voanews.com/east-asia-paci…

Footage from the China July 2020 fireworks factory explosion

thatsmags.com/china/post/313…

Returning to #beirutexplosion this slow motion clip shows the power of the detonation.

Local news suggests a fire at a fireworks factory triggered the explosion.

Tragically number of dead unknown & reports or hospitals overwhelmed.

https://twitter.com/breaking911/status/1290690299149287432?s=21

https://t.co/d5xoWvAqGE

Words can’t express the potential life loss or catastrophic injuries attributed to this explosion.

Nor the risks to responding #Emergencyservices #bombdissposal team

Overwhelming demand on medical services

To the impact on local communities

https://twitter.com/itvnews/status/1290720889361833985?s=21

https://t.co/Sepn7wwIAn

Today’s the 150yr anniversary of the @BritishRedCross

Starting a kindness movement around the world & as we’ve witnessed today critical to disaster recovery around the globe.

https://twitter.com/reuters/status/1290720431725518851?s=21

https://t.co/MhRU7GKha7

Update #beruitexplosion confined fatalities + over 2000 injured

Hospitals overwhelmed + off duty medical staff ordered to report to nearest medical facility

International aid effort has commence as #LebaneseRedCross is overwhelmed

bbc.co.uk/news/live/worl…

#BeirutExplosion

As we feared potential co-location of fireworks storage near another warehouse containing ammonium nitrate.

This would account for the major fire + firework disscharges & the secondary detonation of the ammonium nitrate.

https://twitter.com/middleeasteye/status/1290729034314383361?s=21

https://t.co/gnCPWqf7Og

#BeirutExplosion

Dramatic footage of the explosive after shock on rush hour vehicles in the area

https://twitter.com/conflictsw/status/1290734610385690624?s=21

https://t.co/hOBRbRJotU

#BeirutExplosion

Representation of the potential detonation, blast zones & damage zones

https://twitter.com/asaadhannaa/status/1290733457988100098?s=21

https://t.co/CpDQto0B79

#BeirutExplosion the powerful blastwave catching so many unawares.

Horrific major incident with wide reports on mass casualties & growing numbers of fatalities.

https://twitter.com/90ssophie/status/1290733541140107272?s=21

https://t.co/K1t87JQ4ze

#BeirutExplosion unique footage near ground zero

Appears to be a fire in fireworks warehouse - detonated seized sodium nitrate in an adjacent storage area.

https://twitter.com/ladyvelvet_hfq/status/1290735703366696965?s=21

https://t.co/eW7kBlCDbN

#BeirutExplosion

Unique footage within local business premises & one family’s home.

After the initial shock one dad protects his son by shielding him & then getting the child under cover.

https://twitter.com/abuzittin2e/status/1290736291190054913?s=21

https://t.co/H7tOCWh4D2

https://twitter.com/rt_com/status/1290675801210392580?s=21

https://t.co/K9tFFnS20K

#BeirutExplosion

Can everyone please now have an emergency plan inplace + know what to do in the event of range of incidents.

Also download @ThecitizenAID which is major incident + medical truma advice at your finger tips.

Hope this family is ok

https://twitter.com/jenanmoussa/status/1290713437912391686?s=21

https://t.co/TLOY20jH9z

#BeirutExplosion

Storing fireworks or ammonium nitrate is hazardous

Co-locating this volume is a lethal combination.

https://twitter.com/bbcbreaking/status/1290758551737192455?s=21

https://t.co/6X3Ndm1dfW

magnitude of the #BeirutExplosion is over 100 lost souls, over 4,000 injured, hospitals overwhelmed, destruction of a busy port & surrounding areas.

Sadly this is not the first devastating explosion in a populated area, we need to ensure it’s the last!

https://twitter.com/guardian/status/1290931835283873793?s=21

https://t.co/APQETtsteF

Post incident damage reports are now coming in from #BeirutExplosion

The numbers are staggering

https://twitter.com/afp_beirut/status/1290946357801492481?s=21

https://t.co/CQYi8mLyPT

In other social media reports #BeirutExplosion

• Less than a month of grain in stocks
• Medical stockpiles destroyed, number of hospitals damaged
• 90% of hotels can no longer be used

Concerned raise over onside #fireservice personel caught in the #beirutblasts

https://twitter.com/abirghattas/status/1290971057143283712?s=21

https://t.co/FcZVemiJ8T

#BeirutExplosion #AmmoniumNitrate + other industrial explosions

https://twitter.com/ajenglish/status/1290929130285006851?s=21

https://t.co/R3GO8qQAmQ

Recent inspection before the #BeirutExplosion raised concerns quantities of #AmmoniumNitrate could “blow up all of Beirut”

https://twitter.com/reuters/status/1290976025694949378?s=21

https://t.co/0Vg9Bflbru

The #BeirutExplosions is another industrial disaster which was both predicable & preventable

@LondonFire re-issues advisory and links to public available @H_S_E guidance. hse.gov.uk/explosives/amm…

https://twitter.com/londonfire/status/1290959837065621508?s=21

https://t.co/R79Q6U4hCN

Update @GOVUK has authorise mobilisation if Medical and UKInternational Search & Rescue teams deployment to #Beirut

https://twitter.com/stevemcfirerisk/status/1290989919238856704?s=21

https://t.co/0gBJQECGFD

Sadly a very long list of #ammoniumnitrate disasters throughout modern history.

Hence the safety protocols are well matured & widely available.

Sadly with any industrial disaster #BeirutBlast was both #predicable & #preventable

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_…

Although there are concerns over central grain silo destruction

Location & heavyweight concrete construction directed some of the blast upwards or back out to sea

Grain & supplies can be replaced with mobilisation of international relief efforts

https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1290999252445999106?s=21

https://t.co/ELZWb1JIco

Excellent explosion analysis THREAD by @SheffieldBlast

Finally estimating between 2-2.5KT TNT equivalent.

Sadly perfect combination of the fireworks factory fire (initiator) + close proximity volume of #AmmoniumNitrate (explosive) = devastating scenario.

https://twitter.com/sheffieldblast/status/1290721308418936833

#BeirutExplosion before & after images of the devistation

news.sky.com/story/beirut-e…

Experts question why 2500tons is #AmmoniumNitrate was stored for six years near the heart of #Beirut

ft.com/content/d9de41…

https://twitter.com/stevemcfirerisk/status/1291292356940107776?s=21

https://t.co/EoaLLNWCAG