Halifaxekplosjonen

Halifaxekplosjonen, or the Halifax Explosion, was a catastrophic man-made explosion in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, on December 6, 1917, during World War I. It followed a collision in the Narrows between the French cargo ship Mont-Blanc, loaded with high explosives, and the Norwegian vessel Imo. Mont-Blanc caught fire, and at 9:04 a.m. its cargo detonated, releasing an energy estimated at about 2.0 to 2.9 kilotons of TNT.

The blast devastated the North End of Halifax and parts of Dartmouth, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving about 25,000 people homeless. Casualties were heavy: roughly 1,900 to 2,000 people were killed and about 9,000 wounded. The explosion generated a powerful shock wave and a bright flash, with debris and heat causing widespread damage across the city and to ships in the harbour.

Emergency response mobilized rapidly, with local volunteers, military personnel, and international aid contributing to rescue and relief efforts. The disaster led to the establishment of the Halifax Relief Commission and spurred major urban reconstruction and reforms in harbor safety and disaster response in Canada.

The Halifax Explosion is remembered as one of the largest man-made explosions in history prior to the atomic era and had lasting effects on Canadian society, public health, and emergency preparedness. Today the event is commemorated in memorials and exhibits in Halifax, highlighting its impact on the city and its people.