![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VB3IMQYAWBF4LKJOX3IDDF2SBU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=9c2a147342fb27c6638eb390f3ad7ea79c9a2dab9efa1d31972ee0794dae8602&width=400&height=225)
A 2021 report by a Swiss firm found the silos might collapse soon and is tilting by two millimetres a day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6XWI7F2365HH3AQOKU2TF3COUU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=745cb9fd882c583898ca03c28ced42748f1154c94f0a6a6fd846fc2c3531785e&width=400&height=225)
The damaged port silos in Beirut, Lebanon. All photos: Getty images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AM3IZFFPLJAJBJNVIAH5DGMTJI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=b13d272fcd3732c3de25f6cb64710c16db8a7fa3c8cf16f6315d61a8e313b671&width=400&height=225)
The August 4, 2020 blast left more than 215 dead and 6,000 injured.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RZM6V4AWIVELBFZFDQ4NSZ5CRQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=3219b0d80ee84a977e4189d959d6bfdeefa36735fdd0b36d0d39824cce475f5c&width=400&height=225)
The blast changed Beirut's skyline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E44K57MP6NAKRLHO6KBDJV7RD4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=764403f6b8ed6ac0dfdea80129b721686aa1237683f36cbbe62c36ea42ec0df4&width=400&height=225)
It's nearly two years since the 552 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded at the port.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/32YOCJTAXJHQ5GLHOWQJUSKAZQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=18ac4c585a6fc2783dd831c97b1a4c72be601120030cdb8a0498624f37770d30&width=400&height=225)
On April 14, the Lebanese government approved plans to demolish the grain silos.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XWW3XTCUMFGTLPQVKAR2AFHIZM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=42db7f7f7d1593a7a3b0442bd7a9d4a5c9d84428d241a8a689a1da5130f86832&width=400&height=225)
Victims’ families and architects oppose the project, saying the state was, once again, trying to erase one of the country’s many tragedies.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VB3IMQYAWBF4LKJOX3IDDF2SBU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=9c2a147342fb27c6638eb390f3ad7ea79c9a2dab9efa1d31972ee0794dae8602&width=400&height=225)
A 2021 report by a Swiss firm found the silos might collapse soon and is tilting by two millimetres a day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6XWI7F2365HH3AQOKU2TF3COUU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=745cb9fd882c583898ca03c28ced42748f1154c94f0a6a6fd846fc2c3531785e&width=400&height=225)
The damaged port silos in Beirut, Lebanon. All photos: Getty images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AM3IZFFPLJAJBJNVIAH5DGMTJI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=b13d272fcd3732c3de25f6cb64710c16db8a7fa3c8cf16f6315d61a8e313b671&width=400&height=225)
The August 4, 2020 blast left more than 215 dead and 6,000 injured.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RZM6V4AWIVELBFZFDQ4NSZ5CRQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=3219b0d80ee84a977e4189d959d6bfdeefa36735fdd0b36d0d39824cce475f5c&width=400&height=225)
The blast changed Beirut's skyline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E44K57MP6NAKRLHO6KBDJV7RD4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=764403f6b8ed6ac0dfdea80129b721686aa1237683f36cbbe62c36ea42ec0df4&width=400&height=225)
It's nearly two years since the 552 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded at the port.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/32YOCJTAXJHQ5GLHOWQJUSKAZQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=18ac4c585a6fc2783dd831c97b1a4c72be601120030cdb8a0498624f37770d30&width=400&height=225)
On April 14, the Lebanese government approved plans to demolish the grain silos.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XWW3XTCUMFGTLPQVKAR2AFHIZM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=42db7f7f7d1593a7a3b0442bd7a9d4a5c9d84428d241a8a689a1da5130f86832&width=400&height=225)
Victims’ families and architects oppose the project, saying the state was, once again, trying to erase one of the country’s many tragedies.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VB3IMQYAWBF4LKJOX3IDDF2SBU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=9c2a147342fb27c6638eb390f3ad7ea79c9a2dab9efa1d31972ee0794dae8602&width=400&height=225)
A 2021 report by a Swiss firm found the silos might collapse soon and is tilting by two millimetres a day.