Today marks five years since the catastrophic explosion at the Beirut port, which occurred around 18:00 on August 4, 2020.
The blast was caused by hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate improperly stored in a warehouse at the port. The material had been left there for years under suspicious circumstances, and investigations have pointed to negligence and possible connections to Hezbollah-controlled areas at the port.
The explosion was one of the most powerful non-nuclear blasts in history, killing over 200 people, injuring approximately 7,000, and leaving an estimated 300,000 temporarily homeless. The devastation sparked widespread protests and demands for accountability, but justice remains elusive.
As of today, no senior officials have been convicted, and Lebanon continues to struggle with economic collapse and political instability.