Lebanon vows accountability five years after Beirut port explosion

Monday 04 August 2025 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Lebanon vows accountability five years after Beirut port explosion

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has pledged justice for the victims of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion, marking five years since the tragedy devastated the capital. The blast, which occurred on August 4, 2020, was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, killing over 220 people, injuring more than 6,500, and destroying vast sections of Beirut.

In a statement on Monday, Aoun reassured victims’ families that “justice is coming, accountability is coming,” underscoring the government’s commitment to uncover the full truth, regardless of political or institutional barriers. "The law applies to all, without exception," he declared.

A nation mourns and demands answers

Monday was observed as a day of national mourning, with rallies planned at the port to honor the victims and renew calls for justice. The explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse storing thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate, neglected for years despite repeated warnings to senior officials.

Public outrage has intensified over the lack of accountability, as no one has been held responsible for the disaster. Victims’ families, led by groups like the association of victims’ families, have vowed to continue their fight for justice. "For five years, officials have tried to evade accountability, always thinking they are above the law," said Mariana Fodoulian, a member of the association. "We won’t stop until we get comprehensive justice."

Progress in the stalled investigation

Judicial investigations into the explosion have been plagued by political interference. However, Judge Tarek Bitar, who resumed the probe this year, has completed questioning defendants and suspects, according to judicial sources. The judge is awaiting responses from Arab and European countries regarding inquiries into specific incidents before finalizing the investigation and submitting it to the public prosecution.

President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former International Court of Justice judge, have vowed to uphold judicial independence and ensure the investigation proceeds transparently. Salam described the pursuit of truth and accountability as a national priority, lamenting decades of impunity in Lebanon’s political system.

Preserving history and remembrance

Culture Minister Ghassan Salame announced that the port’s damaged wheat silos, a haunting symbol of the explosion, would be preserved as part of Lebanon’s historic landmarks. Victims’ families have long advocated for their preservation as a memorial to the tragedy, ensuring that the events of August 4, 2020, are never forgotten.

The explosion remains a stark reminder of Lebanon’s struggles with corruption, governance failures, and the enduring quest for justice.