When East London Exploded | The 1917 Silvertown Disaster

Описание: On 19 January 1917, the quiet East London district of Silvertown was rocked by the largest explosion the capital has ever seen. At 6:52 pm, over 50 tons of TNT stored at the Brunner Mond chemical works detonated, obliterating the factory, destroying hundreds of homes, and damaging over 70,000 buildings.

This documentary tells the full story of the Silvertown explosion—from its wartime origins and dangerous TNT purification process, to the moments leading up to the blast, the devastation it caused, and the incredible resilience of the community in its aftermath.

Featuring historical accounts, eyewitness testimony, and archival imagery, we uncover:

Why TNT was being handled in the middle of a residential area

The shocking scale of destruction across London

The investigation’s findings and the safety reforms it prompted or in this case...didn't.

Despite its scale, the tragedy has faded from public memory.

📍 In this video, we also visit key locations linked to the disaster, including the modern site of the explosion and the memorial to the victims.

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