BEIRUT – August 2025
On the fifth anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed the state’s commitment to delivering justice for the victims of the August 4, 2020 blast, which killed over 220 people, injured more than 6,500, and shattered vast areas of the Lebanese capital.
In a powerful national address on Monday, President Aoun said:
“The Lebanese state is committed to uncovering the whole truth, no matter the obstacles or how high the positions [of those responsible]. The law applies to all, without exception. Justice is coming, accountability is coming.”
📅 National Mourning and Renewed Demands for Justice
Monday has been declared a national day of mourning in Lebanon. Thousands are expected to gather for rallies at the port, demanding long-delayed justice in a case that has become a symbol of official negligence and impunity.
Aoun addressed grieving families directly:
“The blood of your loved ones will not be in vain.”
🔥 What Happened on August 4, 2020?
The blast was triggered by a fire in a port warehouse storing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been confiscated and stored improperly for years. Despite repeated warnings to top officials, no one has yet been held accountable.
It remains one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in modern history.
⚖️ Where Does the Investigation Stand?
After years of political obstruction and judicial deadlock, Judge Tarek Bitar has now completed questioning suspects and is preparing to issue indictments, pending responses to international information requests from several Arab and European countries.
A senior judicial official told AFP that the final report is expected soon, marking a crucial turning point in the probe.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former ICJ judge, called the investigation a “national responsibility,” stating:
“The era of impunity must end. Truth and justice are essential for our country’s recovery.”
🗣️ Voices of the Victims’ Families
Mariana Fodoulian, from the Victims' Families Association, said:
“For five years, officials have tried to escape accountability. We won’t stop until we get comprehensive justice.”
🏛️ Port Silos to Be Preserved as Historic Landmark
Culture Minister Ghassan Salame announced that the damaged wheat silos—widely seen as a symbol of the catastrophe—will be added to Lebanon’s list of historic buildings, following long-standing demands by victims’ families to preserve the site as a permanent memorial.
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Date of Incident: August 4, 2020
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Casualties: 220+ dead, 6,500+ injured
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Cause: Fire ignited ammonium nitrate stored improperly for years
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Justice Status: Investigations nearing completion; indictments pending
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Public Reaction: National mourning and mass protests calling for accountability
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Political Climate: New leadership vows judicial independence
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