Lebanon: PM Hassan Diab charged over port explosion
December 10, 2020
The caretaker prime minister has been accused of negligence in relation to the blast on August 4 that killed more than 200 people. Three former ministers are also facing charges.
The explosion ripped through Beirut when a large stockpile of ammonium nitrate in the port went upImage: Reuters/M. Azakir
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The Lebanese prosecutor investigating August's port explosion in Beirut filed charges on Thursday against the caretaker prime minister and three former ministers, accusing them of negligence in relation to the deadly blast, Lebanon's state news agency reported.
Hassan Diab resigned as PM a few days after the explosion but has since stayed on in an interim capacity. Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, as well as Ghazi Zeiter and Youssef Fenianos, both former ministers of public works, have also been charged.
Interim Prime Minister Hassan Diab issued a statement saying he had a 'clear conscience' over the incidentImage: Reuters/M. Azakir
All four were accused of carelessness and negligence leading to the death of over 200 people and injuring thousands more.
Diab 'has a clear conscience'
Fadi Sawan, the judge investigating the blast, is set to question Diab at his office at the governmental palace in downtown Beirut on Monday. Sawan has also called in the other three ministers for questioning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, also as defendants.
"The prime minister has a clear conscience and is confident of his integrity as well as his responsible and transparent handling of the file of the Beirut port explosion," Diab's office said in a statement on Thursday.
The explosion on August 4 was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical compound commonly used as agricultural fertilizer but also sometimes for mining explosives, which had been kept at the port for six years.
In pictures: Beirut blast aftermath — destruction, chaos and protests
A powerful explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, killing at least 150 people and injuring thousands more. Residents have taken to the streets to demand government reforms and resignations over the blast.
Image: Getty Images/D. Carde
Panic in Beirut
Two immense blasts shook Beirut and the surrounding areas of the Lebanese capital, prompting panic as residents rushed to safety. "I have never in my life seen a disaster this big," Beirut's governor told local TV.
Image: Reuters/M. Azakir
Blasts felt in city's outskirts
The explosions, centered in Beirut's port region, were felt throughout the capital. Even residents in the city's outskirts reported hearing the blast, with some saying their windows were shattered.
Image: Reuters/K. Sokhn
Dozens killed, thousands injured
Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 others were injured.
Image: Reuters/M. Azakir
'Unacceptable' ammonium nitrate stock
Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that a large stockpile of 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port had caused the second, larger explosion. "It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures," Diab said.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/STR
Race to save survivors
More than 30 Red Cross teams raced to the scene, with many locals lending a hand to aid rescue efforts. Hospitals warned that they were quickly filled beyond capacity — and called for blood donations as well as generators to help keep the electricity on.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/H. Shbaro
Felt as far away as Cyprus
The blasts struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germany's
geosciences center GFZ. Residents in Cyprus, some 110 miles (180 km) across the sea from Beirut, reported hearing and feeling the blast.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/STR
People are 'asking for their loved ones'
DW's Bassel Aridi said people were using social media to try to track down their loved ones after the explosions. Aridi also visited a hospital in Beirut after the blasts. "What I saw in the hospital was so dramatic. All the hospitals have announced that they are totally overloaded."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/H. Ammar
Two-week state of emergency
Lebanese authorities fear many more people are buried beneath rubble. President Michel Aoun scheduled an emergency Cabinet meeting for Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/STR
Lebanon faces double-blow
The devastating blasts come as Lebanon experiences severe economic turbulence, with many people taking to the streets in recent months to protest the financial situation. Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion.
Image: Getty Images/D. Carde
Protesters demand reforms and resignations
Thousands of protesters took to the streets four days after the explosion, blaming the blast on government corruption and mismanagement boiling. Protesters demanded government resignations and fresh elections, with many occupying government ministries. Police responded with tear gas.
Image: Reuters/G. Tomasevic
First resignation
Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad became the first government minister to resign in the wake of the blast, five days after it took place. "After the enormous Beirut catastrophe, I announce my resignation from government," she said in a statement carried by local media. She apologized to the people of Beirut for failing them.
