Quantity of Explosive Found in Belgium Surprises Officials

The New York Slimes ^ | March 23, 2016 | C J Chivers

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The announcement by the Belgian authorities that they had confiscated more than 30 pounds of the explosive TATP from a dwelling used by the attackers in Brussels was, in some ways, an expected development. But it contained one detail that bomb-disposal technicians and security officials regarded with surprise: the quantity of the particular explosive involved.

TATP, also known as triacetone triperoxide, is a white, crystalline explosive also used in the attacks in Paris in November, though it caused few casualties compared with the terrorists’ assault rifles. Highly unstable and sensitive to shock, friction and heat, it breaks down quickly in air. And while it can be made with basic chemistry skills and relatively simple equipment, it is more dangerous and tedious to manufacture than a commonly used fertilizer-based explosive, ammonium nitrate, which an American official, citing intelligence shared by Belgium, said the attackers had also used.

Unlike ammonium nitrate, TATP is typically seen in small quantities, not in the tens of pounds. One American official who had reviewed the intelligence related to the bombs in France and the newer intelligence from Belgium said the recovery of more than 30 pounds indicated an increased capacity since the Paris attacks. And that figure did not include any explosive actually used in the bombs that killed 31 people on Tuesday.

[jmaroneps37]

Clearly Europe’s Keystone Kops can’t service as real partners in this fight. So many years of having us B their Army have neutered them

[bajabaja]

Alternate and Accurate Headline: Belgian “officials” not doing their job

[dp0622]

so, then...IT’S A WAR!!!!

WAKE THE #### UP!!!!

Reminds me of the firs Toy Story when woody screams

“YOU ARE A TOY!!!!”

[fieldmarshaldj]

[Steely Tom]

TATP is the explosive that was used by Joel "Joe" Henry Hinrichs III to kill himself in the 2005 bombing at the University of Oklahoma.

The explosion happened at a point on campus that was within 200 yards of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, which at that time was occupied by more than 84,000 spectators at a football game.

TATP is extremely dangerous.

Here is the link:2005 University of Oklahoma bombing.

[Parley Baer]

“Alternate and Accurate Headline: Belgian “officials” not doing their job”

I totally aree with that. The leadership sucks but the people voted them in.

[The Toll]

Apparently they have MANY surprises yet to come.

[A_perfect_lady]

Everything surprises the officials. What, bombings? Here? In Europe? By Muslims? After we were so nice and let in all those refugees? You’re kidding...? REALLY?? US? BOMBS? MUSLIMS? No...

[dfwgator]

*UNEXPECTED*

[stanne]

Geeze, Louise

I won’t even read the article but I can guess how much ammo ordinance rounds or whatever the f they are calling it they have a lot

It’s not a religion it’s sculpt a death cult. What? They go to the supermarket on their days off and contemplate how to be moderate

Just cack!!!

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Everything comes as a surprise to those idiots.

[grey_whiskers]

[DBrow]

Thanks for bringing that up. Lots of odd things in that bombing, like the university president stating that explosives were commonly used in suicides. And the anti-scalping camera system at the stadium gates was not turned on.

[JennysCool]

Beautifully said! :)

[Yaelle]

I’m surprised it took him 13 posts to show up!

[Ben Hecks]

I’m amazed at the number of people who have never heard of this incident.... some even think I am a complete nut when I mention it. It was fortunate that Hinrichs was turned away from the stadium or the results may have been staggering.

As I recall, Ramzi Yousef was using TATP back in the 90s so ME terrorists have had this weapon in their arsenal for a long time.

[Steely Tom]

I remembered it because of the TATP but also because the local officials did the same “we are so surprised, our brains’ in a blender, they’re jello” act.

[DBrow]

“I’m amazed at the number of people who have never heard of this incident....”

Ya gotta wonder how many incidents there are that we never hear about.

They just don’t fit Official Reality.

[trebb]

“Stunning” - they also said they knew he s tried to sneak off to join ISIS and was returned, but “didn’t equate that event as having anything to do with a terror threat”....