Beirut: After the explosion
CGTN
01:59

Rescuers in Lebanon continue to dig for survivors after Tuesday's deadly blast in the capital, Beirut. 

Officials believe a large supply of confiscated ammonium nitrate that was stored in a port hanger is to blame for the blast. 

The Associated Press reports an official letter circulated online showed the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly that the stockpile of ammonium nitrate was hazardous and needed to be removed. 

Several letters were sent, asking how the nitrate could be removed but it is not known if there was a response. 

The state prosecutor, Ghassan Oueidat, has ordered security agencies to collect all reports, letters and related materials for an immediate investigation. 

Lebanon is already facing an economic crisis with an unemployment rate surging past 30% and a major decline in the value of its currency.

Officials are worried the blast could lead to food insecurity since the country imports most of its goods and its main port was destroyed in the blast. 

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