BEIRUT
Security forces clashed with protesters in Lebanon’s capital on the first anniversary of last year’s deadly port blast on Wednesday.
LBEIRUT, LEBANON - AUGUST 04: Lebanese security forces intervene in protesters as Lebanese people gather for the Beirut port explosion march toward the port on an anniversary commemoration on August 04, 2021 in Beirut, Lebanon. Whilst investigations for accountability continue, Lebanese commemorate the 218 people who died and 7 000 injured on August 04, 2020 when 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut. The blast, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in world history, displaced 300,000 people and damaged buildings up to 20km away. ( Hussam Shbaro - Anadolu Agency )
Thousands poured onto the streets of Beirut to demand accountability for the explosion that killed more than 200 people, injured some 6,000 more, and left some 300,000 homeless as it wreaked extensive damage across the capital.
Demonstrators carrying Lebanese flags marched to a main square in central Beirut, raising slogans against the government.
Police fired tear gas at a group that tried to march towards the parliament, with the protesters responding by pelting stones at the security forces.
At least 21 people were injured and six of them had to be hospitalized, according to the Red Cross.
Anger has brewed in Lebanon over the government’s failure to hold officials accountable for the Aug. 4, 2020 blast, which was caused when over 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port exploded.
The situation has been exacerbated by an economic and political crisis that has added to citizens’ frustrations over the past year.
* Writing by Gozde Bayar
