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Halifax Explosion facts for kids

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Halifax Explosion
Halifax Explosion blast cloud.jpg
The pyrocumulus cloud around 15-20 seconds after the explosion
Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date December 6, 1917
9:04:35 (AST)
Deaths 2,000 (approximate) (1,950 known)
Non-fatal injuries
 9,000 (approximate)

The Halifax explosion took place on December 6, 1917 when the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship loaded with explosives collided with the SS Imo, a Norwegian ship in the harbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 2,000 people were killed and over 9,000 people were injured. This was the largest man-made explosion in history until July 1945 when the first atomic bomb blew up. It is still the largest accidental explosion in history.

Images for kids

  • Halifax, Nova Scotia, looking north from a grain elevator towards Acadia Sugar Refinery, ca. 1900

    Looking north from a grain elevator towards Acadia Sugar Refinery, circa 1900, showing the area later devastated by the 1917 explosion

  • 19171208 Halifax explosion with map - The Boston Daily Globe

    The explosion devastated a large portion of Halifax (shown) and part of Dartmouth (off bottom of map).

  • Halifax explosion - Imo

    SS Imo aground on the Dartmouth side of the harbour after the explosion

  • Blast cloud from the Halifax Explosion, December 6, 1917

    Blast cloud of the explosion

  • Plan of the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia, showing the radius of the blast from the explosion - Plan de la cite d’Halifax en Nouvelle-Écosse, montrant l’étendue du souffle de l’explosion (8148373492)

    A map showing the radius of the explosion

  • Halifax Explosion - harbour view - restored

    A view across the devastation of Halifax two days after the explosion, looking toward the Dartmouth side of the harbour. Imo is visible aground on the far side of the harbour.

  • Panoramic view of damage to Halifax waterfront after Halifax Explosion, 1917

    View from the waterfront looking west from the ruins of the Sugar Refinery across the obliterated Richmond District several days after the explosion. The remains of Pier 6, site of the explosion, are on the extreme right.

  • Aftermath in Halifax of the great Halifax explosion 1917

    Aftermath in Halifax, the start of rescue efforts

  • Halifax Explosion Aftermath LOC 2 - restored

    Explosion aftermath: Halifax's Exhibition Building. The final body from the explosion was found here in 1919.

  • Halifax Explosion Aftermath LOC 1 - retouched

    Explosion aftermath: St. Joseph's Convent, located on the southeast corner of Göttingen and Kaye streets

  • No 3905 Page 25, gare du Nord

    Workers clear debris from the North Street Station.

  • Halifax Memorial Bell Tower

    The Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower

  • Mont Blanc Anchor Site 1

    Mont Blanc Anchor Site

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Explosión de Halifax para niños

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