Business

Explosion-damaged Beirut port suffers another blow (VIDEOS) — Analysis

The port of Beirut (Lebanon) witnessed four silos of grain collapse on Thursday. These 50-meter tall structures were in flames for many weeks and collapsed partially at the month’s end. 

Social media footage captured the moment that the structure fell to the earth, sending smoke and dust into the air. 

It happened two years after an immense explosion which killed 190 and left 6,000 others injured. Much of the city was destroyed by that blast. The blast was blamed on an improperly stored stash of ammonium nitrate, and the fallout from the incident toppled the country’s government, cratered its economy, and jeopardized its food security.

The silos had been tilting for several days, with French civil engineer Emmanuel Durand telling Lebanese news site L’Orient Today on Wednesday that a collapse would occur “at any time”In the following hours. The area was evacuated by port workers for several days. Roads near silos were also closed.

Authorities blame the fire on the grain, which had been fermenting in summer heat and then combusting. The structure has burned for several weeks. On the other side of the fire, eight silos within the same block collapsed, with four remaining standing. Durand said in an earlier update, that the adjacent block with 16 silos had not tilted.

Authorities blame the fire on the grain, which had been fermenting in summer heat and then combusting. The structure has burned for several weeks. Four silos belonging to the same block collapsed in flames last week. Eight others are still standing. Durand said in an earlier update, that the adjacent block with 16 silos had not tilted.

According to AP, a probe into the blast in 2020 has been stalled ever since December due to legal issues raised by officials. There have been no legal consequences for the explosion, but hundreds marched in protest at the time of the last collapse to demand justice.

This story can be shared on social media



[ad_2]

Tags

Related Articles

Back to top button