Will justice be served for the Beirut Blast, one year on? | ticker VIEWS

One year on since the traumatic Beirut blast rocked Lebanon forever

On August 4, 2020, the port of Beirut exploded after tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire. The explosion killed 217 people and injured nearly 7000. However, the long-term effects continue to devastate.

If the disaster itself isn’t enough, no one has been held accountable yet. It remains one of the worst industrial accidents in history, with locals paying the price every day.

Economic crisis

The area of Beirut is facing an economic crisis and political injustice, like never before. The blast saw widespread devastation and destruction. The explosion saw homelessness rates skyrocket, by hundreds of thousands.

Many of Beirut’s homes near the port remain in ruins today and their tenants are in limbo. Some have rebuilt or moved away, but others who’re barely surviving financially are living in empty damaged buildings.

And, worst of all, no one has been held to account.

“What really happened? Who brought this ammonium nitrate to Lebanon? Why was it left there for seven years? Who is responsible? 

Journalist, Philippe Obou Zeid

Political dysfunction

Leaked official documents indicate that Lebanese customs, military and security authorities warned multiple times, about the dangerous stockpile of explosive chemicals at the port.

However, in December 2020, Judge Fadi Sawan, charged former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, former Public Works ministers Youssef Fenianos and Ghazi Zeaiter, and caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, with criminal “negligence.”

Yet, all of them refused to appear before the judge. They then filed a lawsuit with the Court of Cassation to remove Judge Sawan from the investigation, citing immunity from criminal prosecution.

Judge Sawan has been dismissed from the investigation.

Quest for justice

Locals and victims’ families will not stop their quest for justice. Although, with so many questions unanswered about who is responsible for the horrific explosion. Beirut residents are still reeling from the traumatic event.

And, with a heavy heart, they live and remember August 4, 2020, every single day.