A memorial service was held locally one year after the massive explosion that killed more than 200 people in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon in the Middle East.

Participants blamed the government for not revealing the cause and responsibility of the explosion, as well as the sadness of losing family and friends.

Last August, a large-scale explosion struck the port of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, killing 212 people and injuring more than 6,500, according to bereaved lawyers.

It is believed that the chemical substance "ammonium nitrate," which was stored in large quantities in the warehouse at the port and is also the raw material for explosives, exploded for some reason. Due to the conflict of political powers, the new administration has not yet been established, and the cause has not been investigated.



On the 4th, one year after the explosion, a memorial service was held at the port of the site, and about 1000 people including the victims' families and friends participated.

He silently prayed and mourned the deaths of those who died in the sudden explosion.



One of the women who participated said with tears, "The joy disappeared after my brother and my brother died."



A man who lost his wife said, "I'm still lonely after a year. Politicians do nothing," accusing the government of still not revealing the cause of the explosion and where responsibility lies. ..



In Lebanon, the spread of the new coronavirus has been combined with a large-scale explosion, accelerating the economic crisis and increasing public dissatisfaction, and there are frequent demonstrations protesting the government, including this day.

Political and economic turmoil worsens civilian life

In Lebanon, the economy deteriorated sharply due to the large-scale anti-government demonstrations that occurred frequently from the fall of 2019 while the trade deficit and public debt continued to expand, and the government postponed the repayment of foreign currency-denominated government bonds in March last year. I made a statement and fell into a de facto default = default.



The spread of the new coronavirus and the large-scale explosion accelerated the economic crisis, and the real value of the currency Lebanese pound has plummeted to less than one-tenth of that time.



Prices have risen along with it, and a woman in her 70s who was shopping at the market in Beirut, the capital, lamented, "All the ingredients are so expensive that I can't buy anything. I can't do it with my current income." A man in his 60s said, "Prices have skyrocketed in the last few months. They are about 10 times higher. I can't live. This country has serious problems." rice field.



Rising prices have also increased the cost of rebuilding houses and shops that were destroyed by the explosion, and even one year after the explosion, many untouched buildings remain broken in Beirut.



In addition, due to chronic power shortages, power supply is limited to several hours a day even in the center of Beirut, and the lives of citizens are becoming more difficult.



One of the reasons why we cannot escape from such an economic crisis is that the political gap continues.



Two candidates for prime minister have tried to form a cabinet since the cabinet resigned to take responsibility for the explosion, but in Lebanon, where there are 18 religions and denominations, it was not possible to coordinate with each political force. I have given up on both.



Former Prime Minister Mikati was nominated as a new prime minister candidate last month and is in the process of forming a cabinet, but it is unclear whether he will be able to launch a new administration and end the nearly a year-long political gap.

New contributions from countries and international organizations that continue to support after the explosion

More than 30 countries and international organizations, including France, which continue to support Lebanon, held an online meeting on the 4th and promised to contribute about 40 billion yen in Japanese yen.



Regarding Lebanon, more than 30 countries in the United States, Europe and the Middle East and international organizations such as the United Nations have been providing support immediately after the accident at the behest of France, the former suzerain, and the third meeting will be held online on the 4th. I was killed.



According to statements from France and the United Nations, which chaired the meeting, the meeting said that the supplies needed for living were not available to many people, and 370,000 in support of food, public health, and education. It means that he promised to contribute about 40 billion yen in 10,000 dollars and Japanese yen.



He also pointed out that prompt reform is necessary for the fact that the government has been unable to take office due to the conflict between political powers since the explosion, saying that "leaders are responsible for the political crisis."



At the beginning of the meeting, President Macron said in a speech, "The most important thing is to establish a government responsible for emergency measures for the people, which will allow the international community to further support Lebanon."