Status: 07/31/2022 7:35 p.m
A grain silo has partially collapsed in the port of Beirut, which was particularly badly hit in the explosion two years ago. A fire had been burning in the complex for more than two weeks.
In the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut, one of the symbolic grain silos has partially collapsed – almost exactly two years to the day after the devastating explosion there. Local media reported two collapsed towers in the northern section of the silo. Video footage showed a section of the silo collapsing, debris falling to the ground and a cloud of dust. So far there have been no reports of deaths or injuries.
The silo was hit particularly hard by the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. The detonation occurred because ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored without protective measures had ignited. As a result of the accident, more than 200 people died and over 6500 were injured. The investigation into the circumstances of the accident had been hampered for the first few weeks. Observers suspect for political reasons. Relatives of the victims and non-governmental organizations accuse the authorities of systematically concealing their possible joint responsibility.
Fire caused by ignited grain
The acting Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati had already warned of a collapse last Wednesday. The army should prepare for a collapse; Workers, civil defense workers and firefighters had been told to keep a safe distance from the towers. Citizens should wear respirators around the silo in case of a collapse.
A fire broke out in the complex two weeks ago after grain ignited – according to the authorities, a result of fermentation processes favored by the summer heat. According to Mikati, around 3,000 tons of wheat and corn were still stored in the towers, but according to official information they could not be removed because this would have accelerated the collapse.
demolition work suspended
In April, the Lebanese government ordered the remains of the silo to be demolished. However, the work had been interrupted – among other things because relatives of those who died in the explosion in August 2020 had asked for the ruins to be preserved as a place of remembrance. The silos in the port of Beirut had a storage capacity of more than 100,000 tons before the explosion. After the accident, their 48 meter high remains were a kind of memorial for the explosion.