Concur with you. That blast was so incredibly powerful.
Yes, human error is responsible for the blast and the consequent loss of lives. Ammonium Nitrate in Beirut was stockpiled in an unsecured warehouse. Please read the extract from the wiki about this chemical:
"Ammonium nitrate is a
chemical compound with the chemical formula
NH4
NO3. It is a white crystalline solid consisting of
ions of
ammonium and
nitrate. It is highly soluble in water and
hygroscopic as a solid, although it does not form
hydrates. It is predominantly used in
agriculture as a high-nitrogen
fertilizer.
[4] Global production was estimated at 21.6 million tonnes in 2017".
"Its other major use is as a component of
explosive mixtures used in mining, quarrying, and civil construction. It is the major constituent of
ANFO, a popular industrial explosive which accounts for 80% of explosives used in North America; similar formulations have been used in
improvised explosive devices".
"Many countries are phasing out its use in consumer applications due to concerns over its potential for misuse.
[5] Accidental ammonium nitrate explosions have killed hundreds of people since the early 20th century".
