Foreword

Industrial accidents can have devastating impacts on people, the environment and economies. In 2020, an explosion at a warehouse containing some 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in the Port of Beirut in Lebanon led to about 300 deaths, 6,500 injuries and 300,000 displaced people. It severely damaged critical infrastructure, including port and healthcare facilities, and residential and commercial areas. This and other major accidents, such as the Toulouse factory explosion in France (2001), Mihăilești explosion in Romania (2004), fertilizer plant explosion in Texas, United States (2013), Tianjin explosion in China (2015) and Bata explosions in Equatorial Guinea (2021), serve as urgent reminders of the need to better understand and apply instruments and tools to assess risks and prevent industrial accidents.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Good Health and Well-Being

Clean Water and Sanitation

Sustainable Cities and Communities