On August 4, 2020, a blast of the most powerful in history took place in the port of Beirut.

Hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, unloaded six years earlier from a ship and abandoned in a port hangar, exploded.

214 people lost their lives and more than 6,500 were injured.

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab had promised the Lebanese that “those responsible for this disaster will be held to account.

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A year later, the inhabitants are still waiting.

Many national media have shown that the authorities were aware of the presence of nitrate in the port.

But the Lebanese investigation is stalling.

The investigating judge in charge of the case, Tarek Bitar, has asked Parliament to lift the immunity of three deputies who have held ministerial posts in order to sue for "potential intention of homicide" and "negligence and misconduct. ".

Parliament called for additional “evidence” before lifting the immunity, which the judge refused.

Events

The Lebanese have demonstrated on numerous occasions, at the appeal of the relatives of the victims of the explosion, to demand justice and truth.

They accuse political leaders of interference in the local investigation.

In its report, the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented the multiple failings of political and security authorities in the management of this stock of dangerous materials, from its arrival at the port in 2013 until its explosion.

Dozens of government officials, customs and security officials who were aware of the dangers, according to the NGO, are identified.

In June 2021, around 50 NGOs, including Amnesty and HRW, called for an independent UN investigation into the tragedy and international sanctions against senior Lebanese officials.

They are charged with criminal negligence, violating the right to life and blocking the local investigation into the explosion.

World

Explosion in Beirut: A year later, the investigation is stalled, hampered by political interventions

World

Explosion in Beirut: Nearly 700 complaints brought to justice in Lebanon on behalf of victims

  • Investigation

  • Explosion

  • Lebanon

  • World

  • 20 minutes video

  • Beirut