Lebanon explosion: alarm raised over chemicals at Beirut port at least 10 times before deadly blast
- Nothing done for six years about massive stockpile, until 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate blew up, killing more than 150 people
- Investigators focusing on personnel at Lebanon’s main port, so well known for corruption it is nicknamed ‘Ali Baba’s Cave’
At least 10 times over the past six years, authorities from Lebanon’s customs, military, security agencies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut, newly surfaced documents show.
Yet in a circle of negligence, nothing was done – and on Tuesday, the 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate blew up, obliterating the city’s main commercial hub and spreading death and wreckage for miles around.
President Michel Aoun, in office since 2016, said Friday he was first told of the dangerous stockpile nearly three weeks ago and immediately ordered military and security agencies to do “what was needed”. But he suggested his responsibility ended there, saying he had no authority over the port and that previous governments had been told of its presence.
“Do you know how many problems have been accumulating?” Aoun replied when a reporter pressed whether he should have followed up on his order.
02:36
Protesters angry about Beirut blasts call on visiting French leader to push for reforms in Lebanon
The documents surfacing in social media since the blast underscore the corruption, negligence and incompetence of Lebanon’s long-ruling political oligarchy, and its failure to provide its people with basic needs, including security.
Investigators probing the blast have focused on personnel at the Port of Beirut – Lebanon’s main port, so well known for corruption its common nickname is Ali Baba’s Cave.
