Rasha AridiOne month ago, today, 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut, killing more than 200 people, wounding 5000 others, and leaving 300,000 residents temporarily homeless.
The explosion, which left Lebanon’s main port and surrounding homes and businesses in ruins, has exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic in a country that’s also grappling with inept leadership, a worsening economic crisis, and a 55% poverty rate.Armed with brooms and shovels, Beirut residents soon took to the streets to clean up their city, and now, reconstruction has begun.
ScienceInsider spoke with three scientists who lived through the blast and are now studying its aftermath.This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.Salim Adib is an.