Beirut blast a wake-up call on dangers of ammonium nitrate, experts warn

Men ride a motorcycle past the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

(Reuters) - The devastating explosion in Beirut should be a wake-up call for countries on the dangers of ammonium nitrate, which caused the blast, experts say.

Lebanese authorities said 2,750 tonnes of the industrial chemical had been stored for six years at Beirut port without safety measures. That stockpile exploded on Tuesday, killing more than 150 people, injuring thousands and leaving about a quarter of a million people homeless.