Hundreds of protesters gathered near the Port of Beirut in Lebanon on Sunday to mark the fourth anniversary of a catastrophic explosion that devastated the capital, killing more than 200 people and leaving 6,000 others wounded.
In downtown Beirut, the families of the victims demonstrated with the hundreds of Lebanese people to mark the fourth anniversary of the explosion. Demonstrators demanded justice as the investigation into the explosion was stalled.
On Aug. 4, 2020, hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in a Beirut Port warehouse. The gigantic blast tore through the Lebanese capital, and devastated large swaths of Beirut, causing tremendous damages.
However, years of obstructions by top officials to dodge accountability and stall the probe have hampered people's hopes for justice.
"Criminals have obstructed the investigation, so that they won't be held accountable. Does the criminal hold himself accountable? No. My son was about to get married. He wouldn't hurt an ant," said a father who lost his son in the Beirut Port explosion.
"We only want justice. These are our demands. No home country without justice, nothing without justice, and since we are gathered here, everyone who demands his right and is not silent about it will reach justice," said a mother of a Beirut port explosion victim.
On Aug. 4, 2020, Mariam Hijazi's life changed when the port explosion left her with injuries and a loss of an eye.
"I would never imagine this would happen to our country. I was without an eye for a long time. I didn't accept myself and didn't want an artificial eye. I couldn't accept it. I used to look at myself and cry, but my children supported me to get by. That moment psychiatrists started visiting me," she said
She blames Lebanese authorities for negligence and demands the truth and justice for those hurt in the explosion.
"I want to know the truth and this is my right. This is the result of the state's negligence, and what did I gain out of their negligence? It's a state that has no justice. There are more than 50 people just like me. They just did the same as me and used an artificial eye," she said.
Lebanese Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh said the reconstruction and development of Beirut Port will begin at the end of August.
Lebanese demand justice on 4th anniversary of Beirut port explosion
Lebanese demand justice on 4th anniversary of Beirut port explosion
