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Events on Thursday 17 April 1947 1
1947Texas City disasterAmmonium nitrate ship explodes in the port of Texas CityOn 16 April 1947, the French-registered ship SS Grandcamp exploded while loaded with about 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate in Texas City harbour. The blast and the fires that followed, including a second ship explosion, killed at least 581 people. It is the deadliest industrial accident in US history.