Here is a list of 5 explosions that shook the world based on the destruction they brought to mankind;
Hiroshima Explosion, 1945
On 6th August 1945, a horrific explosion took place in the city of Hiroshima in Japan at about 8:15 am local timing. It was detonated by US aircraft Enola Gay which dropped an untested uranium-235 gun-assembly bomb nicknamed “Little Boy”. This was the first time any country used a nuclear weapon against its enemy in the warfare. The effect was visible even years after the destruction took place.
The radius of destruction was about 1.6 km. The explosion killed almost 80,000 people and ruined the land almost in a blink of an eye. By December, the death toll had risen to some 140,000. Thousands more died from injuries, radiation sickness and cancer in the years followed, bringing the toll close to 200,000, according to the Department of Energy’s history of the Manhattan Project.
This year marks 75 years of the apprehensive incident. Even, after 75 years, its effect can be seen on the people and in their lives.
Nagasaki Explosion, 1945
Another explosion took place in another city of Nagasaki in Japan. The actual target of the US was to bomb Kokura, but, as the Kokura was obscured by clouds, so Nagasaki was chosen as the target instead.
Nagasaki was exploded on 9th August 1945, which caused the loss of 40,000 people. The narrow valleys between mountains, reduced the bomb’s effect, limiting the destruction to 2.6 square miles. The “Fat Man” contained about 5 kg of Plutonium which was dropped in the industrial valley of the city.
The consequence was the surrender of Japan, which led to the end of World War II on 15th August 1945. The announcement was made by Emperor Hirohito in a radio broadcast. The news envelops the whole world and “Victory in Japan” or “V-J Day” celebrations broke out across the United States and other Allied nations.
Texas City Disaster, 1947
It was the deadliest industrial accident in United States history and one of the history’s largest non-nuclear explosion.
Occurred on 16th April 1947, in the Port of Texas City, Texas, at Galveston Bay. A fire started on board the French registered vessel SS Grandcamp and detonated its cargo, containing about 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate. Over 5,000 people died in the disaster while 138 were listed as missing. The explosion caused severe effects on the population.
According to historians, when the Grandcamp exploded, fire and debris spread throughout the small town of 15,000 damaging 1,000 businesses and homes.
Halifax Explosion, 1917
On 6th December 1917, a huge explosion took place between two ships in the harbour of Halifax in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
As World War I raged in Europe, the port of Halifax hustled with ships carrying troops, munitions and relief supplies across the Atlantic Ocean. In the morning of December 6, the Norwegian vessel left its mooring in Halifax harbour for New York City.
At, the same time, the French freighter Mont Blanc, with its cargo hold packed with highly explosive munitions-2,300 tons of picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 35 tons of highly octane gasoline and 10 tons of gun cotton was forwarding through the harbours narrow, which collided with the Norwegian vessel, killed approx 1,800 people and 9,000 left injured with destroying almost the entire north end of the city of Halifax, including more than 1,600 homes. The annihilation caused by the explosion was large enough.
Beirut Explosion, 2020
In the evening of 4th August, a fire was believed in a firework factory, led to a small explosion and then a massive explosion of a warehouse containing 2,700 metric tons of ammonium nitrate in the port area of Beirut, Lebanon. The blast caused heavy destruction to buildings and surrounding structures, yet, another largest non-nuclear explosion in history.
As of now, approx more than 190 people died and more than 6,500 people are injured. Destruction leaves thousands of people homeless and impacted more than 70% of Beirut buildings.
A month completed of the explosion and protests are at a peak. People alleged that the explosion is the result of the negligence of the government, which led Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign from the government.
Also Read: Indian History of pro-environment citizens movement alike Mumbai’s Aarey forest
