Lebanon is still scarred by the Beirut blast, which happened today last year. EPA
Lebanon is still scarred by the Beirut blast, which happened today last year. EPA
Lebanon is still scarred by the Beirut blast, which happened today last year. EPA
Lebanon is still scarred by the Beirut blast, which happened today last year. EPA

Opinion

Editorial

One year on from Beirut port blast, still no closure for victims in Lebanon

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Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership

August 04, 2021

Listen to the latest podcast on the Beirut blast here

Whether to heal or celebrate, anniversaries exist to remind us of a past event and how far we have come since. But for Lebanon, which today marks the solemn anniversary of the explosion at Beirut's port, little has changed.

The blast was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history and is estimated to have damaged more than 6,000 buildings. It killed at least 214 people. However, one year later, no one has been held accountable for it. Today, protests are set to be held throughout the city, not against a single responsible party, but a far more complex political establishment that has in no way atoned for its role in the devastation.

The investigation into the explosion remains stalled. But victims deserve to have the crisis not just told through their country's hopeless politics, but through their personal struggles as well. In the run-up to the anniversary, The National has been gathering such testimonies. Lebanese journalist Luna Safwan has written about how people are still uncovering new memories of the day, previously buried by trauma. Workers at the port's destroyed silos talked to Sunniva Rose about how their lives changed after the blast, and the effects of seeing nine of their colleagues die. Psychiatrist Dr Joseph Khoury has said he fears a new wave of trauma on the anniversary. Finbar Anderson, who himself was injured in the explosion, has recorded a four-part podcast on how the ammonium nitrate got to Lebanon.

Michel Abdo waits for help following the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, that killed 200 and injured almost 8,000.
Michel Abdo waits for help following the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, that killed 200 and injured almost 8,000.
Michel, 58, lost an eye when a cargo of hundreds of tonnes of chemicals caught fire and exploded in a warehouse.
Michel, 58, lost an eye when a cargo of hundreds of tonnes of chemicals caught fire and exploded in a warehouse.
Hassan Mortada lies on the ground following the massive explosion of ammonium nitrate.
Hassan Mortada lies on the ground following the massive explosion of ammonium nitrate.
Hassan suffered six broken vertebrae and two broken pelvic bones in the blast.
Hassan suffered six broken vertebrae and two broken pelvic bones in the blast.
Walid Sebaali sustained only minor injuries in the devastating explosion.
Walid Sebaali sustained only minor injuries in the devastating explosion.
Elias Nohra helped the army to clean up after the blast that caused billions of dollars in damage to property across the capital.
Elias Nohra helped the army to clean up after the blast that caused billions of dollars in damage to property across the capital.
Ramez Mansour rushed out of the silo offices just moments before the explosion.
Ramez Mansour rushed out of the silo offices just moments before the explosion.

The horror of August 4, 2020 unfolded in parallel on social media. The progressive catastrophe drew the world's attention to Lebanon's crisis, which had been underway long before the blast. It is a shame that only such an extreme event could do so. And while social media is a powerful tool for many to tell their stories, some are choosing not to use it today, with mental health advocates calling for a blackout to avoid triggering content and memories.

These personal traumas are aggravated by a lack of justice and the failure to make necessary changes to reassure the Lebanese that something like the blast could never happen again. Lebanon's new prime minister-designate, Najib Mikati, said earlier this week that he would not be able to secure his goal of forming a Cabinet line-up in time for the anniversary. Instead, and to little surprise, Lebanon's politicians continue to bicker about their own portfolios in a new administration.

This political failure is also blocking relief for Lebanon's collapsing economy. Foreign powers have said that government formation is a key condition for the country being granted financial aid. The UN says Lebanon needs almost $360 million to keep vital services afloat and ease what the World Bank has called one of the worst financial crises since the 19th century. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is leading the global campaign, is not optimistic, saying on Monday that the situation has only worsened.

Today's anniversary is not simply a moment for reflection, as it should be. It is yet another painful reminder of the complex crisis in which the country is trapped. One year on, it seems as if many more August 4 anniversaries will have to pass before Lebanon gets the answers and justice it deserves.

These images show various sites in Beirut on August 5, the day after the blast, and how they look now, one year on. This building has only been partially repaired.
These images show various sites in Beirut on August 5, the day after the blast, and how they look now, one year on. This building has only been partially repaired.
The damage to this house in Beirut has been partially covered.
The damage to this house in Beirut has been partially covered.
Cars were destroyed next to this church in the blast area.
Cars were destroyed next to this church in the blast area.
Damage near the site of the explosion and how it looks now.
Damage near the site of the explosion and how it looks now.
A restaurant damaged by the explosion has been largely repaired and restored.
A restaurant damaged by the explosion has been largely repaired and restored.
A view of the port on the day of the explosion and how it looks today.
A view of the port on the day of the explosion and how it looks today.
A petrol station and buildings in Al Rmeil area in Beirut.
A petrol station and buildings in Al Rmeil area in Beirut.
The damage to Beirut Souks in the downtown area of the city has been repaired.
The damage to Beirut Souks in the downtown area of the city has been repaired.
The grain silo at Beirut Port the day after the blast and how it looks now.
The grain silo at Beirut Port the day after the blast and how it looks now.
A street in Beirut the day after the blast and how it looks now.
A street in Beirut the day after the blast and how it looks now.
A street in Beirut the day after the blast and how it looks now.
A street in Beirut the day after the blast and how it looks now.
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

PROFILE BOX:

Company/date started: 2015

Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence

Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads

Stage: 1 ($800,000)

Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
On Women's Day
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On Women's Day
Other pavilions revealed
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

Company name: Farmin

Date started: March 2019

Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi 

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: AgriTech

Initial investment: None to date

Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs 

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Have you been targeted?

Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:

1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.

2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.

3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.

4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.

5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.

TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Updated: August 04, 2021, 7:47 AM`
LebanonBeirutHezbollahMichel Aoun