Wanggongchang Explosion: A 17th Century Disaster That Nearly Destroyed Beijing

 Gunpowder, a volatile and explosive substance composed of saltpeter, charcoal and sulfur, has played a significant role in shaping history. However, its storage and handling has often resulted in catastrophic accidents. One of the most devastating gunpowder-related accidents occurred in Beijing in the early 17th century. The resulting explosion has been considered one of the largest explosions in history.

The incident occurred at the Wanggongchang Arsenal, one of several weapons depots located within the capital. Administered by the Ministry of Works, these depots were responsible for both the production of gunpowder and the storage of armour, firearms, bows and ammunition. These armories were of great importance for the security of Beijing and the preparedness of the defense forces of Ming China. That is why they were strategically located in the heart of the capital, protected by its formidable and strong walls. Unfortunately, this was also the area where most of the population resided. It didn't take long for the tragic consequences of setting up an explosive manufacturing facility in a residential area to become apparent.

On the morning of May 30, 1626, residents of Beijing saw plumes of smoke rising from the Wanggongchang Arsenal, followed by a loud rumble and houses shaking. Then a bright flash of light appeared. A few moments later a huge bang was heard which caused "the heavens to shatter and the earth to shatter." A huge mushroom cloud was seen rising over the city.

The explosion destroyed everything in an area of two square kilometers around the spot. Thousands of people present nearby at that time were killed and thousands of houses were turned into ashes. Buildings and other structures collapsed due to the explosive force and their pieces scattered across the street. The force of the explosion was so tremendous that huge trees were uprooted and fell on the opposite side of the city. A stone lion weighing 2.5 tons was thrown over the city wall.

Loud explosions were heard in Tongzhou, 20 kilometers to the south-east, in Changping, 40 kilometers to the north-west, and in Miyun, about 100 kilometers to the north-east. The tremor was felt more than 150 kilometers away. In Jizhou, more than 100 kilometers from Beijing, contemporary sources reported that hundreds of houses suddenly collapsed at the time of the explosion.

The explosive power tore people's bodies apart, turning them into bloody pieces. These body parts were carried to a great distance where rain started falling from the sky. The official Peking Gazette gave a shocking report:

In the book A Sketch of Sites and Objects in the Imperial Capital, published nine years after the event, Beijing scholars Liu Tong and Yu Yizheng describe the extraordinary sight of the mushroom cloud and summarize its terrifying aftermath:

Emperor Tianqi's own son and his only remaining heir, a seven-month-old baby, was killed by the shock of the explosion. Many government officials were killed, injured or went missing during the explosion, and some were reportedly buried alive in their own homes. Dong Kewei, the Minister of Works, broke both his hands and subsequently had no choice but to withdraw from political engagements altogether.

The Wanggongchang explosion, also known as the Great Tianqi explosion, is classified among the largest non-military explosions in history, along with events such as the explosions in Beirut (2020), Tianjin (2015), Port Chicago (1944), and the United States (2015). and Halifax (1917). Although it is challenging to provide precise measurements of the energy released, indications suggest that the Wanggongchang eruption was somewhat less powerful than some of these other events. The claim that the intensity of the explosion was equivalent to the impact of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima is undoubtedly an exaggeration. Nevertheless, the number of casualties was remarkably high due to the explosion occurring in the center of one of the most densely populated cities globally at the time.

Finding the root cause behind the explosion was a difficult challenge. The explosion obliterated any remains of the disaster site, leaving little evidence for investigation efforts. Nevertheless, it was initially suggested that the incident was an act of sabotage carried out by state spies. But later, the official investigation concluded that the explosion was a "heavenly event", symbolizing the chaos and misrule prevalent during Emperor Tianqi's reign.

The disaster came amid a period of turmoil for the Ming dynasty, marked by widespread corruption, internal strife, and a series of natural disasters that provoked rebellions among the peasants. Yet, the magnitude of the Wanggongchang eruption overshadowed all these challenges. Many factions of officials, including vocal critics of the court, those associated with the Donglin movement, argued that an incident of this magnitude reflected Asturian dissatisfaction with the ruling dynasty. This was seen as a divine rebuke from above, exposing the emperor's ineptitude.

The Wanggong Eruption played an important role in hastening the fall of the Ming Dynasty. The destruction of the Wanggong Arsenal, a vast storehouse and production center of firearms and ammunition, dealt a significant blow from which the Ming army could not recover. The massive relief and rescue operation placed a heavy burden on the already strained Ming government budget. This financial strain was exacerbated by increasing military expenditures in Manchuria against the Jurchen rebellion led by Nurhaci, as well as widespread tax resistance among the prosperous upper middle class in the southern regions.

The belief that this event was a divine retribution for Emperor Tianqi's personal shortcomings further weakened public respect and confidence in the authority of the Ming monarchy. Furthermore, the Wanggongchang eruption tragically took the life of Emperor Tianqi's only surviving son, leaving him without an heir. Emperor Tianqi himself would die the following year. Just 18 years after the disaster, the Ming dynasty collapsed and was succeeded by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty.