As former captain Boris Prokoshev noted in an interview with RBC, the substance itself could not explode.
“There was some external reason. Maybe a spark, maybe arson, an explosive device. There was some kind of external detonator, ”he said.
Prokoshev added that saltpeter was stored hermetically and air and water did not enter the package.
“The fact is that the saltpeter was in two bags - an airtight plastic one, and it was also placed in another bag - a polypropylene one, or something, so dense, plastic, ... Air and water were not supplied there. Each bag weighed a ton, there were 2,750 bags, ”he said.
Earlier, the Greek edition ProtoThema reported that the Cypriot security services are looking for a Russian from whom the ship and the cargo of saltpeter that exploded in Beirut were allegedly confiscated.
A powerful explosion occurred on August 4 near the seaport of Beirut. According to local authorities, the cause of the tragedy was the detonation of ammonium nitrate stored in the warehouse and confiscated by the customs authorities.
More than 150 people died, about 5 thousand were injured.
According to the latest data, more than 60 people are still missing after the tragedy.