The general manager of the Port of Beirut said that they had stored ammonium nitrate six years ago by court order and had asked several times to find a solution.

Port general manager Hassan Koraytem on Aug. 5 told local broadcaster OTV that they knew that ammonium nitrate was dangerous but its devastating levels were beyond imagination.

2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate was carried by the Rhosus flag flying the Moldovan flag from Georgia to Mozambique in 2014, but was abandoned when the ship had an engine problem at the port of Beirut.

Koraytem and Lebanese Customs General Director Badri Daher said they had several times sent a letter to the judiciary asking them to remove the compound from the port but it was not met.

Two Reuters documents showed that Lebanese customs requested the judiciary in 2016 and 2017 to order the relevant maritime authority to re-export or approve the sale of ammonium nitrate to ensure port safety.

At least 135 people were killed and 5,000 injured after the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate blast at a port in Beirut on August 4.

This is a modal window.

Beginning of dialog window.

End of dialog window.

Ammonium nitrate is commonly used as a fertilizer, but can become a highly explosive if impurities or mixed with flammable fuels.

The explosive potential causes many countries to impose strict regulations on ammonium nitrate storage and handling.