Lebanon Mourns Lack of Accountability Three Years After Devastating Beirut Blast
BEIRUT: Lebanon marked a somber day of mourning on Friday as the nation remembered the victims of the catastrophic port blast that rocked Beirut three years ago. Religious leaders and rights groups joined the chorus of voices decrying the lack of accountability among political leaders who have hindered the official investigation into the explosion.
The devastating blast, which occurred on August 4, 2020, killed at least 220 people and injured thousands more. It was caused by the detonation of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse. The explosion sent a massive cloud over the city, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, no senior figures have been held accountable, and the official investigation has been obstructed by legal measures. This has sparked outrage not only in Lebanon but also internationally. Survivors and the families of victims feel that the lack of accountability has kept them stuck in 2020, unable to move forward.
Rita Hitti, who lost her 26-year-old son, 34-year-old brother-in-law, and 21-year-old nephew – all firefighters who responded to the call about a fire at the port – expressed her grief and frustration. “They were at the prime of their lives. Their lives were cut short – and we died along with them,” she told Reuters.
While many shops and restaurants that were obliterated by the blast have been painstakingly rebuilt, hosting an influx of tourists and Lebanese expatriates, the streets were empty and businesses shuttered on Friday to observe a national day of mourning.
Amnesty International, a prominent rights group, condemned the lack of accountability and called it unacceptable. Aya Majzoub, Amnesty’s deputy director for the region, stated, “Instead, the authorities have used every tool at their disposal to shamelessly undermine and obstruct the domestic investigation to shield themselves from accountability – and perpetuate the culture of impunity in the country.”
The explosion is believed to have been triggered by a fire in a warehouse. The chemicals had been stored at the port since 2013, when they were unloaded during an unscheduled stop. However, no one has claimed ownership of the shipment, and it remained at the port despite senior officials being aware of its presence.
The investigation, led by Judge Tarek Bitar, has been stalled since late 2021 due to a barrage of legal complaints filed against him by some of the suspects, including current and former officials. In a memorial church service on the eve of the blast anniversary, Lebanon’s top Christian cleric, Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, supported calls for an international fact-finding committee and urged an end to interference in the blast probe.
“What hurts these families and hurts us the most is the indifference of state officials who are preoccupied with their interests and cheap calculations,” Rai said.
The devastating blast struck Lebanon at a time when the country was already grappling with a financial meltdown that began in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the economy has further deteriorated, with the local currency losing 98 percent of its value and thousands of families falling into poverty.
As Lebanon mourns the victims of the Beirut blast, there is a growing demand for justice and accountability. The lack of progress in the official investigation has only deepened the wounds of those affected by the tragedy. It is crucial for political leaders to prioritize transparency and ensure that those responsible for the blast are held accountable. Only then can Lebanon begin to heal and move forward from this devastating chapter in its history.