China News Service, August 5th. On August 4th local time, thousands of Lebanese were immersed in grief to commemorate the first anniversary of the catastrophic explosion in Beirut port.
However, over the past year, little progress has been made in the investigation and accountability of the cause of the explosion.
Sabani and her husband Subey.
Explosion on the day of rejoicing
The bride still dare not look at the wedding photos
On August 4, 2020, a violent explosion occurred in Beirut Port, resulting in a tragedy of more than 200 deaths and more than 6,500 injuries.
Several blocks of Beirut were destroyed.
Sabrani, who took the wedding photos outdoors that day, said that she still dare not take out the photos that day.
Sabrani choked and said that the explosion had left a deep shadow on her. She and her husband did not dare to recall the scene at the time, or even dared to display wedding photos at home.
She said that that day was her long-awaited joyous day, and she should be happy.
However, that day was also a day of disaster for the Lebanese people, and I couldn't be happy at all.
She said: "I can't feel joy when my parents lose their children, their children lose their parents, or the destruction happening in front of me."
Her husband Subei also said: "This is an indelible memory, and it may be with us until we die."
On August 4, local time, on the first anniversary of the Big Bang in Beirut, Lebanon, white roses were placed next to the portraits of the victims on the streets of Lebanon to commemorate the victims of the Big Bang.
Lebanon held a memorial event
Thousands of people protested for a transparent investigation
On the first anniversary of the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, the Lebanese government announced August 4 as a national day of mourning.
On that day, thousands of Lebanese stood solemnly in front of the Beirut port, lit candles, read the names of the victims, and paid tribute and silence to the lost relatives and friends.
Lebanon’s central and local government departments and public institutions ceased their operations and lowered their flags at half-mast. Most companies and banks closed their doors.
Lebanese army helicopters flew over the port, emitting red and green smoke.
In the bombing case, the court arrested more than 30 people, but due to the country's high level of corruption, not one of the highest-ranking officials was brought to justice.
Thousands of people marched and demonstrated near the parliament in downtown Beirut, demanding the removal of political immunity and transparent investigation and accountability of the big bombing incident.
According to local media quoted the Lebanese Red Cross, in Beirut on the 4th, there were multiple clashes between demonstrators and riot police and different factions of the protesters, resulting in dozens of injuries.
On the evening of August 4, 2020, a violent explosion occurred in the Beirut port area of Lebanon.
The port area is very close to downtown Beirut. The explosion affected nearly half of Beirut's city. Many buildings were damaged and old buildings collapsed.
Government officials avoid questioning
Will the survey results be announced before the end of the year?
The Lebanese authorities attributed the explosion to the long-term improper storage of large quantities of ammonium nitrate material.
Because a French citizen was killed in the explosion, France launched an investigation on its own. However, Lebanese political leaders have repeatedly rejected international investigations. Domestic investigations have not yet determined what caused the explosion, nor is it clear where the chemical substances came from and why they were stored in the warehouse. No one asked for 6 years.
Many people worry that the investigation of the explosion will end in no time, and no one will be held responsible for it.
Government officials, Congress, and security agencies are currently using the so-called exemption clause in the constitution to avoid questioning.
Lahoud, a lawyer representing hundreds of bomb victims, said: "They just want to get away with it."
Despite the obstacles, sources familiar with the investigation revealed that Bitar, the judge who led the investigation, had completed most of the investigation and had almost a complete picture of the incident.
The source also said that Bitar hopes to announce the results of the investigation before the end of the year.
Lahoud said investigators have found out who sent the ammonium nitrate to Beirut and who decided to unload the cargo and store it at the port.