Lebanon: new collapse of silos on the 2nd anniversary of the explosion in the port of Beirut
These images show the collapse of part of the grain silos in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2022, due to an ongoing fire since the beginning of last month.
This collapse comes precisely on the day of the second anniversary of the giant explosion at the port of Beirut.
AFP - IBRAHIM AMRO
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Hundreds of demonstrators commemorated this Thursday the second anniversary of the explosion in the port of Beirut, which killed 220 people, injured 6,500 and destroyed part of the Lebanese capital, on August 4, 2020. The protesters called for the head of the United Nations for an international investigation.
As the protesters approached the port, part of the damaged silos collapsed.
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With our correspondent in Beirut
,
Paul Khalifeh
Despite the collapse of four cylinders of the northern part of the silos and the cloud of dust that spread over the port, the demonstrators continued their way to the place of assembly.
The collapse of the damaged structure during the explosion of August 4, 2020 was predictable and caused no casualties.
The army had proceeded, a week ago, to the evacuation of people present within a radius of 500 meters.
The commemoration turned into a demonstration against the ruling class accused of being responsible for the multiple crises that have hit Lebanon for three years.
The most important procession moved from the surroundings of the Beirut Courthouse, a highly symbolic place at a time when the investigation into the explosion of the port is at a standstill due to political deadlocks.
The demonstrators waved banners calling for the abolition of the immunity regime which prevents ministers and deputies from being prosecuted by the criminal justice system.
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To listen also: Explosion of the port of Beirut: "Some Lebanese fear never to know the truth"
The procession then headed for the port through the city center, the cradle of the protest movement that broke out in 2019.
Groups of protesters tried to approach Parliament, chanting slogans calling legislative leader Nabih Berri a “
terrorist
”.
Clashes broke out with the security forces deployed in the perimeter.
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To read also Two years after the explosion of the port, the trauma of the Lebanese and the wounds of Beirut persist
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