Origins of the Beirut Explosion

In 2013, the Russian-owned cargo ship MV Rhosus carrying 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser ported in Beirut. Due to bankruptcy, the owner Igor Grechuskin abandoned the ship and a year later the cargo was bought ashore and stored in Warehouse 12, a warehouse which also contained dozens of bags of fireworks. This inescapable disaster transpired on 4th August 2020.

Between 5:55 pm to 6:08 pm (local time), sparks were seen through a thick cloud of smoke. This was the first explosion triggered by a fire that lit up the stored fireworks. Soon after, a thunderous sound signalled the commencement of the second explosion which rocked Beirut with its rippling, devouring and powerful waves.

The explosion was so extremely powerful that neighbouring countries such as Cyprus, Israel, Turkey and Syria could feel the tremors and the US States Geological Survey recorded it as an earthquake with a 3.3 magnitude. The damage of the explosion extended to large parts of the Lebanese capital, claiming the lives of 158 people and wounding 6,000 more. Casualties are expected to increase as many are yet to be found under the mounds of Beirut rubble.

Political Responses to the Beirut Explosion

As the dust begins to settle, the people of Lebanon are filled with anger, fury and determination to seek justice for this disaster.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has said “those responsible will pay the price” ensuring “that this catastrophe will not pass without accountability”. His cabinet has since placed Beirut port officials under house arrests with the army overseeing them. Additionally, he has proposed to call for an early parliamentary election in the hopes that a stronger parliament can help defuse this worsening crisis.

However, the violent protests on the 8th August showed that many blame the government’s incompetency for the catastrophe. Evidence of letters written by customs officials between 2014-2017 on the disposal of the highly combustible fertiliser has surfaced, showing that Lebanese officials were indeed aware of the dangers of the ammonium nitrate but chose to ignore it. This further fuel these protests deriving from the October Revolution which is an ongoing condemnation of the sectarian rule, economic stagnation and corruption in the public sector.

Another organisation that has also been a target of protestors is the Hezbollah. The Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim political party which has held seats in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament and a military organisation whose firepower exceeds the army having been responsible for several terrorist bombings. It, therefore, has integrated itself into Lebanese society as ‘a state within a state’ and controls the Beirut port for its importing/exporting activities. This has led protestors to believe their operations were responsible for the weaknesses within Lebanon’s governmental system.

In response to the protestors, Hasan Nasrallah (the leader of Hezbollah) warned that “if you want to start a battle against the resistance over this incident, you will get no results,” and that “the resistance, with its strength and patriotism, is greater and bigger and stronger than to be hit by those liars who want to push and provoke for civil war”. Furthermore, he reminded the people of Lebanon that “the country needs time to heal” stressing on conciliation and unity.

Internationally, countries are ready to offer aid with Emmanuel Macron (France’s President) spearheading the online donor summit as well as being the first world leader to visit Beirut since the disaster. He, along with donor countries, have made it clear that the aid will not go to “corrupt hands” and if Lebanon would like longer-term recovery, the Lebanese government should consider reforms in accordance with the country’s citizens. Perhaps, foreign pressures can help install some much-needed changes, but the future of Lebanon remains bleak as it battles through the worst economic crisis in decades, exacerbated by COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion.

Government Resignation

Following protests from the Lebanese people in outrage at their governments negligent handling of the explosion and alleged corruption, Prime Minister, Hassan Diab announced the resignation of the government on the evening of the 10th of August.

by Ke Thie Kiew

The Aftermath Of The Beirut Explosion