Relatives of Beirut blast victims criticise government response to port fire

Blaze continues to burn due to summer heat and fermenting grain at silos

Part of the grain silos in Beirut's port collapse as Lebanon marks the second anniversary of a deadly explosion at the site. AFP

The silos were damaged during the blast in August 2020. AP

The collapse happened as people gathered at the site to mark the anniversary. AP

A fire at the silos blazed for weeks before the collapse. AFP

Some people in Lebanon believe the government wants to use the fire as an excuse to demolish the silos. AFP

Relatives of those killed in the port blast wanted the silos to stand as a memorial to the victims. Reuters

Water is dropped from a military helicopter to tackle the fire at the silos. EPA

Video footage shows clouds of smoke and dust spreading across the port. AP

It is feared that other parts of the site will also collapse. AFP

The fire was thought to have been sparked by the remnants of fermented grain in storage. AP

Lebanon's caretaker economy minister Amin Salam said the silos were at risk of collapse as the authorities struggled to contain the fire. AP

Fire and smoke at the silos at Beirut port. EPA

There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the collapse. EPA

In April, the Lebanese Cabinet approved the demolition of the silos. EPA

A survey had found that the silos were at risk of collapse. AFP

Rubble at the port after part of the silos collapsed. Reuters

The fire burns at part of the silos that remains standing. Reuters

Families of the victims of the August 2020 Beirut port blast have criticised the government’s response to the current fire at the port.

The blaze broke out more than a week ago in a grain silo, which was severely damaged in the explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital, killing at least 215 people and injuring more than 7,000.

The fire, which has brought back memories of the traumatic explosion that occurred nearly two years ago, has been blamed on the summer heat and fermenting wheat in the northern part of the silos.

Lebanon’s caretaker Minister of the Economy Amin Salam said the government is working hard to tackle the problem but conceded the situation was complicated. He said, for instance, that an operation using a military helicopter could cause the fire to spread due to a change in air pressure.

Authorities have banned anyone from going too close to the silos.

But campaign groups, families of the victims of the blast and others have lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop the fire.

“In terms of the fire, the state hasn't done anything,” Cecile Roukoz — whose brother, Joseph, died in the 2020 explosion — told The National.

“Since they know what the fire is composed of, they can bring in a special powder to smother it.”

Mr Salam, who toured the port on Thursday, said the fires will continue as the wheat continues to ferment, but he added that removing the grains risked causing the silo to collapse.

But this view has been rejected by some.

“The fire must be put out and as long as there is fermentation it will continue. They should put it out and empty it,” Ms Roukoz said.

“The minister yesterday said if they emptied it maybe the silos would fall but the engineers are saying no this isn't correct. After all this, after the explosion and the south side of the silo is still standing, it's not believable for wheat grains to be the only thing keeping it up — there's a steel structure which is supporting the silos.”

The 2020 explosion occurred after a massive stock of ammonium nitrate, which had been sitting at the port for years, caught fire.

The silos remain a sensitive topic in Lebanon. The 2020 explosion has been blamed on mismanagement and corruption, and is viewed as a symptom of the country's many systemic problems.

In April, the Lebanese Cabinet approved the demolition of the silos after a survey found that they could collapse in the coming months.

But many, including some families of the victims, want the silos to remain as a memorial.

The silos are sometimes referred to as “silent witnesses”, because they “saw everything which the victims experienced just before they passed”, Ms Roukoz said.

“It's vital for us that the silos be a memorial for them.”

Families of the victims filed three separate lawsuits last month to stop the government from demolishing the silos.

Some victims' relatives have said they believe the fire was started intentionally to destroy the silos.

Asked about those claims on Thursday, Mr Salam cited experts' reports that it was the result of fermentation.

An investigation into the port explosion by judge Tarek Bitar has struggled to make headway amid repeated delays. Two sitting MPs in the Lebanese Parliament have been charged in connection with the investigation but have refused to attend interrogation hearings.