Port government in Ivory Coast have brushed aside protection fears a few moored boat loaded with 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which is identical compound that brought about a devastating in Lebanon 4 years in the past.

Ammonium nitrate is often impaired as an agricultural fertiliser, however could also be probably explosive.

Its presence within the waters off the busy town of Abidjan – house to greater than six million nation – has brought about alarm amongst some citizens.

A part of this similar shipment, which started its move in Russia, ended up being dumped off the coast of England ultimate while then it was infected by means of gasoline oil following a coarse sea voyage.

A neighborhood MP within the county of Norfolk mentioned that sell off was once “environmental terrorism”.

The too much ammonium nitrate was once nearest transferred to any other send – referred to as the Zimrida – which reached Ivory Coast 8 days in the past.

“Following allegations of damage to the cargo transported and as a precaution to protect the population and property,” the vessel will stay within the outer harbour, say port government.

Ivorian officers insist that what’s now left on board the Zimrida has been matter to probably the most stringent protection tests.

Cautious locals nonetheless consider the affect of the unloading of poisonous squander on the port of Abidjan just about 20 years in the past.

Searching for to reassure the native people, officers invited the BBC and alternative newshounds on board the Zimrida on Tuesday to peer the shipment.

As soon as within the giant vessel and with all 5 of its holds unfolded, masses of spherical, white luggage containing the chemical are eye.

The principle indicator of its unfortunate possible is a hearth truck parked out of doors at the quay.

But if requested by means of the BBC why the products nonetheless had now not been unloaded, in spite of passing tests, port spokesman Aboubakar Toto mentioned they had been merely following protocol and looking ahead to the form to exit.

In a observation to the BBC, Paris-based environmental NGO Robin des Bois mentioned it was once bad for Abidjan port to be impaired as a “storage site” and that the products will have to be despatched onward to their purchaser at once.

Ivorian government in the meantime say that ammonium nitrate deliveries are not unusual and that greater than 40,000 tonnes of the compound had been unloaded on the similar port in 2024 with out incident.

Of the cargo ready these days at the Zimrida, 7,600 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser is destined for virtue in Ivory Coast.

As soon as the Zimrida sooner or later leaves Ivory Coast, it’s going to ship the left-overs of the shipment to Luanda in Angola and and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.