Beirut officials ignored deadly chemical stock despite warnings, food shortage feared as grain reserve destroyed
As new information linked to the massive Beirut explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, August 5, emerges the initial shock among the residents gave way to anger on Thursday, August 6.
Officials in the Lebanese capital had reportedly ignored repeated warning about a stockpile of dangerous chemicals stored at a port for years, which ultimately lead to the deadly explosion. The blast has also raised fears of food shortage in the country as Lebanon’s main grain silo at Beirut port was destroyed. The nation is now reportedly left with less than a month's reserves of grain, however, there is enough flour to avoid a crisis, the economy ministry revealed.
The force of the explosion shredded buildings, roofs, and windows, bringing everything down to rubbles. The blast is believed to have been sparked when a welder caused a fire at the port, which spread to a warehouse storing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate for nearly six years. The ammonium nitrate stored in the warehouse had reportedly been kept there after being seized from a ship from Russia.
Just hours after the explosion, there was sufficient evidence, including emails and public court documents, to suggest that government officials were aware of a shipment of thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate confiscated by Lebanese authorities. They were also aware that the dangerous chemicals were stored on a warehouse at the port for the past six years, however, they did not act to secure the region despite port authorities alerting the officials of its dangers. The chemicals were once dubbed as a "floating bomb."
The association of the explosion with government negligence has angered the residents and reignited frustration at the political class of the country, which is reportedly riddled with corruption and has plunged the country into debt. Before the deadly explosion, the country was witnessing rising unemployment and currency fall.
The Lebanese minister of economy and trade, Raoul Nehme, in a statement after the explosion also raised concerns about Lebanon's food security. He said that the country needed reserves for at least three months to ensure food security and was looking at other storage areas.
"There is no bread or flour crisis," the minister said. "We have enough inventory and boats on their way to cover the needs of Lebanon on the long term." He added that grain reserves in Lebanon's remaining silos stood at "a bit less than a month." The minister, however, said that the destroyed silos only held 15,000 tons of the grain at the time, much less than its official capacity.
Reports state that the economic cost of the damage caused by the explosion could be around $5 billion in a country that is already in the midst of a financial crisis. The blast left 300,000 people homeless, over 100 dead, and dozens missing. The city's hospitals are also under strain as thousands of wounded were rushed to medical facilities for treatment.
As news of the devastating explosion emerged, the country's Prime Minister Hassan Diab released a statement, vowing to hold those responsible for the blast accountable. The country leader said that the perpetrators will "pay the price" as he declared a two-week state of emergency in an effort to deal with the crisis. Diab also urged "friends of Lebanon" and other world leaders to donate aid to the country, saying: "We are witnessing a real catastrophe."