Beirut port silos collapse after fire

A section of the Beirut port grain silos has collapsed following a weeks-long fire ignited by the extreme summer heat.

Only a few days before the second anniversary of the Beirut explosion on 4 August 2020, the northern block of Beirut port grain silos fell on 31 July in a huge cloud of dust which has gone as far as 1,500 metres from the port, according to Environment Minister Nasser Yassin.

Public Works and Transport Minister, Ali Hamiehm, said the container terminal and activity at the port will not be affected after the collapse.

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Damage was caused by the fire that broke out about three weeks ago because of fermenting grains stored in the silos.

The Environment and Health Ministries issued instructions to people living near the port to stay indoors in ventilated spaces.

Last April, the Lebanese Government ordered the demolition of the silos due to safety concerns, but the move has since been suspended amid objections from relatives of the victims who want to preserve the site as a memorial.

Relatives of the victims have recently filed a $250 million lawsuit against an American-Norwegian firm suspected of bringing explosive materials to the port.

The ongoing investigation has further revealed that most government officials knew of the dangerous material stored at the port.