A cloud of smoke and dust rises after part of the grain silos at Beirut's port collapsed on Sunday, days before the country marked the second anniversary of a deadly explosion at the site. AFP
A cloud of smoke and dust rises after part of the grain silos at Beirut's port collapsed on Sunday, days before the country marked the second anniversary of a deadly explosion at the site. AFP
The collapse was due to a fire that has been burning since the beginning of July. AP
The collapse was due to a fire that has been burning since the beginning of July. AP
The grain silos were severely damaged in the 2020 explosion at the port that killed at least 190 people. EPA
The grain silos were severely damaged in the 2020 explosion at the port that killed at least 190 people. EPA
There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the partial collapse. EPA
There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the partial collapse. EPA
Other parts of the silos that remain standing are at risk of collapsing. Reuters
Other parts of the silos that remain standing are at risk of collapsing. Reuters
Lebanese activists confront soldiers guarding the entrance of the country's parliament building during a demonstration in Beirut on Thursday. AFP
Lebanese activists confront soldiers guarding the entrance of the country's parliament building during a demonstration in Beirut on Thursday. AFP
An activist raises her hands during a protest in Beirut on Thursday. EPA
An activist raises her hands during a protest in Beirut on Thursday. EPA
Relatives of the victims of the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion mark the second anniversary of the blast in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
Relatives of the victims of the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion mark the second anniversary of the blast in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
Protesters and relatives of the victims of the blast hold up Lebanese flags as they march in Beirut's port area on Thursday. AFP
Protesters and relatives of the victims of the blast hold up Lebanese flags as they march in Beirut's port area on Thursday. AFP
Demonstrators gather as Lebanon marks the second anniversary of the Beirut port explosion. Reuters
Demonstrators gather as Lebanon marks the second anniversary of the Beirut port explosion. Reuters
People hold the Lebanese flag during a march to the Beirut port. EPA
People hold the Lebanese flag during a march to the Beirut port. EPA
People hold portraits of loved ones who died in the explosion. AP
People hold portraits of loved ones who died in the explosion. AP
Activists and relatives of the victims raise a national flag smeared with red paint during the protest. AFP
Activists and relatives of the victims raise a national flag smeared with red paint during the protest. AFP
Activists and relatives of the victims carry makeshift coffins as they march in Beirut. AFP
Activists and relatives of the victims carry makeshift coffins as they march in Beirut. AFP
On August 4, 2020, the dockside blast of haphazardly stored ammonium nitrate killed more than 200 people. AFP
On August 4, 2020, the dockside blast of haphazardly stored ammonium nitrate killed more than 200 people. AFP
Lebanese national flags fly at half-mast outside the presidential palace as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, in Baabda, Lebanon. Reuters
Lebanese national flags fly at half-mast outside the presidential palace as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, in Baabda, Lebanon. Reuters
Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters
Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters
Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters
Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters

MENA

Lebanon

More Beirut silos collapse as Lebanon marks second anniversary of port explosion

Victims' families marched in Lebanese capital in protest over delayed justice

Jamie Prentis
Nada Homsi
Beirut

August 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

A block of silos damaged in the Beirut port blast collapsed on Thursday, as Lebanon marked two years since the massive explosion that killed 215 people, injured thousands and destroyed large parts of the capital.

The collapse happened as people were gathering nearby to mark the blast anniversary, leaving some of the silos still standing. Families of the victims held marches in Beirut on Thursday afternoon as they continued their search for justice, with protests also planned in the US, Europe and elsewhere.

A few hundred people began their march at the Justice Palace in Adlieh, holding photos of the victims as well as placards with slogans such as, “You will not kill us twice” and “Lebanon is hostage to a criminal regime”. The number of marchers had grown into the thousands by the time they reached the port.

At 6.07pm - exactly two years after the explosion happened - sirens blared as firefighters commemorated their colleagues and other victims who died in the blast. A moment of silence was broken by the sound of applause for the firefighters and others who perished.

The August 4, 2020, explosion occurred after a huge stock of ammonium nitrate, inexplicably left in storage at the port for years, caught fire.

So far, no senior officials have been held accountable for the blast and a judicial investigation has been stalled for eight months.

There has been widespread political interference in the investigation and two sitting MPs charged in connection with the blast have refused to attend hearings.

“We want justice. We have been waiting for the Lebanese justice for two years and it's not going anywhere,” protester Camille Mourani told The National.

“So today, we are asking for international justice, an international investigation," she said, holding a sign with a picture of one of the ex ministers who is wanted in relation to the investigation.

Families of victims want the UN's Human Rights Council to set up an international enquiry. As part of the march on Thursday, they protested outside the French embassy in Beirut and urged Paris to back an external investigation.

Paul Naggear lost his 3-year-old daughter Alexandra in the blast. As protesters entered Martyrs Square, the site of Lebanon's 2019 protest movement, he said: “Justice in Lebanon is dead.”

“We are relying on the international fact-finding mission from the UN Human Rights Council that has been blocked by France,” he told The National. “We need to lobby to make this happen.”

A handful of protesters - some carrying gallows, others coffins daubed with the names of victims in red paint - briefly clashed with riot police outside parliament.

Speaking on the morning of the anniversary, Lebanon's top Christian cleric Bechara Boutros Al Rai hit out at the government's handling of the investigation, saying it had “no right” to impede justice and that “God condemns those officials” who do so.

"What more do you want, what more than this crime of the century, to act?" he said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said there had been “two years without justice”.

“In the name of the dead, among them the son of a UN staff member, I reiterate my call for an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the explosion,” he said.

Two-year-old Isaac, the son of UN staffer Sarah Copland, was the youngest person to die in the explosion.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Legal Action Worldwide and other NGOs on Wednesday called on the UN to send a fact-finding mission.

“It is now, more than ever, clear that the domestic investigation cannot deliver justice,” they said.

Official correspondence between political, security and judicial officials has revealed that many were aware about the hazardous substances stored in the port though no meaningful action was taken to remove it.

On the eve of the second anniversary of the deadly blast, Pope Francis said the truth over what happened “can never be hidden”.

The 2020 explosion has been blamed on mismanagement and corruption, and is viewed as a symptom of the country's many systemic problems.

Lebanon is in the grip of a devastating economic crisis which first became apparent in 2019 and has been described by the World Bank as one of the worst in modern history.

Much of the population has been plunged into poverty, the local currency has fallen in value by more than 90 per cent and there are widespread shortages in water, electricity, medicines and other basic supplies.

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou
Army personnel around entrance to port.
Army personnel around entrance to port.
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP

Compounding the trauma for survivors and relatives of victims is a fire that has blazed for weeks at the port’s grain silos, which were heavily damaged in the blast.

A section of the silos first collapsed on Sunday, with more falling on the anniversary. Efforts to put out the fire have so far been unsuccessful.

On Thursday, as marchers gathered near the port, a Lebanese Army helicopter could be seen dropping what appeared to be water on the site.

The environment and health ministries in late July issued instructions to residents living near the port to stay indoors in well-ventilated spaces and to wear masks.

The fate of the silos, which shielded parts of Beirut from the blast, remains a deeply sensitive topic. In April, Lebanon's Cabinet approved their demolition after a survey found they could collapse in the coming months.

But many Lebanese, including families of some of the blast victims, want the silos to remain as a memorial. Some believe the government is using the fire as a pretext to allow the demolition of the silos.

Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press

Comment on Coronavirus

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

The Book of Collateral Damage

Sinan Antoon

(Yale University Press)

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A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
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If you go

The flights

Fly direct to London from the UAE with Etihad, Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from about Dh2,500 return including taxes. 

The hotel

Rooms at the convenient and art-conscious Andaz London Liverpool Street cost from £167 (Dh800) per night including taxes.

The tour

The Shoreditch Street Art Tour costs from £15 (Dh73) per person for approximately three hours. 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg

Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight (Wednesday), BeIN Sports

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

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Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

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Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
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  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
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Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm

About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

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The Africa Institute 101

Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction. 

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AUSTRALIA SQUAD v SOUTH AFRICA

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Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

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Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

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5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy

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Torque: 985Nm

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EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

While you're here
Updated: August 05, 2022, 3:19 AM`
BeirutBeirut explosionLebanonHezbollah