Animal injury characteristics following the 2020 ammonium nitrate explosion in the Port of Beirut.

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics and veterinary management of animal casualties after an ammonium nitrate explosion in the Port of Beirut.

METHODS

Retrospective evaluation of medical records from multiple veterinary organizations.

RESULTS

Veterinary care was administered to 298 cats and 103 dogs, with 101 animals (25%) undergoing surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Glass injuries prevailed, with suturing performed in 98 animals (24.4%). Surgery was used to treat 31 animals (7.7%) with extremity fractures and 52 animals with tendon injuries (13.3%). Bodily burns were encountered in 19 animals (4.7%). Six animals (1.5%) lost their hearing entirely, while another 6 (1.5%) lost an eye.

CONCLUSION

The joint coordinated work of veterinary groups and nongovernmental animal organizations reduced the number of injured animal fatalities. Of animals documented as having undergone treatment, 355 (88.5%) survived their initial injury assessment, and 46 (11.5%) died.