Beirut Blast effect: Customs report 740 tonne of ammonium nitrate in Chennai

Chennai : Two days after huge blast from ammonium nitrate shocked Lebanon capital city Beirut, India's custom reported 740 tonne of the chemical stored at a container freight station (CFS) in Manali, a senior official in Chennai seaport customs said on Thursday.

The consignment was seized way back in 2015 from a Salem-based company which had imported it.

Ammonium nitrate is the prime chemical which was a reason for the massive blast in Lebanon capital city.

The senior official confirmed that the consignment is under administrative control and all safety measures have been taken for its storage.

"We shall be taking steps to dispose of it," he said.

The Tamil Nadu police have put out an alert stating that the chemical has been stored in 37 containers. Intelligence officials have been asked to take immediate action. Other ports like Ennore, Tuticorin and Karaikal have also been asked to report on storage of explosives, if any.