The port of Beirut has resumed some operations to secure goods for local markets, just a week after a catastrophic explosion that has sparked popular outrage and ended political upheaval in Lebanon.
The powerful explosion on August 4 shook the Lebanese capital and its surroundings after 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in the port caught fire.
The shock wave flattened nearby buildings and caused extensive property damage in Beirut, killing at least 171 people, injuring some 6,000 others and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Dozens of people are still missing.
According to Lebanon’s economy minister, the port is now working to unload ships for traders.
“There are 12 cranes out of 16 operating at the port of Beirut,” Raoul Nehme said in a Twitter post on Wednesday.
“The flowering rates of the mills in Lebanon are 32,000 tons, in addition to 110,000 tons that will arrive within two weeks,” Nehme said, adding that the amount was four months enough.
The explosion came at a time when Lebanon was facing a severe financial crisis, along with the coronavirus pandemic. It has sparked angry, violent protests in which 728 people were injured and one policeman killed on Saturday amid a heavy collapse by security forces.
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Beirut mourns victims with grief and anger, one week on |
The government stepped down Monday, but will remain in a nursing position until a new cabinet is formed.
In his speech, Prime Minister Hassan Diab blamed the explosion on endemic corruption that is “greater than the state”.
Protestants have called for the removal of what they see as a corrupt ruling class they see as responsible for the country’s misery, including an economic meltdown that has destroyed the currency, paralyzed banks and sent downward prices.
Officials have said the blast could have caused losses of $ 15 billion, a bill that Lebanon could not pay, given the depths of the financial crisis that people have frozen since October from their savings accounts amid dollar shortages.
President Michel Aoun has promised a rapid and transparent investigation into the blast, saying the probe would investigate whether it was negligence, an accident or external factors.
Reports appeared this week that Aoun and now dismissed Prime Minister Hassan Diab were warned in July about the stored ammonium nitrate.
On Tuesday, Beirut residents gathered near the site of the explosion and held a vigil to remember the victims.
“These people want what they call an independent salvation of government,” said Zeina Khodr of Al Jazeera, reporting from Beirut.
“But there are others who still support a sectarian system that they believe is still protecting them.”
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
.
