Beirut grain silos collapse after three-week fire at port

A chunk of the site's northern block, heavily damaged in the 2020 blast, collapsed in a huge cloud of dust

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  Part of the grain silos in Beirut's port collapse as Lebanon marks the second anniversary of a deadly explosion at the site. AFP

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  The silos were damaged during the blast in August 2020. AP

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  The collapse happened as people gathered at the site to mark the anniversary. AP

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  A fire at the silos blazed for weeks before the collapse. AFP

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  This screen grab obtained from a handout video released by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) shows parts of Beirut's grain silos collapsing on July 31, 2022, just days before the second anniversary of a catastrophic explosion at the Lebanese capital's port that ravaged the stores and swathes of the city. The silos complex had absorbed much of the impact of the August 4, 2020 mega-blast at the port that killed more than 200 people and injured over 6,500. The partial collapse came after fire broke out at the silos earlier this month, caused by fermentation of remaining grain stocks along with soaring summer temperatures, according to authorities. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /HANDOUT/LBCI " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by LBCI / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /HANDOUT/LBCI " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

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  Relatives of those killed in the port blast wanted the silos to stand as a memorial to the victims. Reuters

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  Water is dropped from a military helicopter to tackle the fire at the silos. EPA

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  Video footage shows clouds of smoke and dust spreading across the port. AP

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  It is feared that other parts of the site will also collapse. AFP

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  The fire was thought to have been sparked by the remnants of fermented grain in storage. AP

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  Lebanon's caretaker economy minister Amin Salam said the silos were at risk of collapse as the authorities struggled to contain the fire. AP

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  Fire and smoke at the silos at Beirut port. EPA

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  There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the collapse. EPA

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  In April, the Lebanese Cabinet approved the demolition of the silos. EPA

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  A survey had found that the silos were at risk of collapse. AFP

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  Rubble at the port after part of the silos collapsed. Reuters

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  The fire burns at part of the silos that remains standing. Reuters

Part of Beirut’s port grain silos, severely damaged in the 2020 explosion that killed more than 200 people, collapsed on Sunday after a fire that lasted more than three weeks.

Video footage posted online on Sunday night showed clouds of smoke and dust spreading across the port from the ruined site as parts fell down.

Health Minister Firass Abiad told The National that the Environment Ministry had reported that there were no toxins in the air. There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the partial collapse, which comes only days before the two-year anniversary of the explosion.

On Sunday night, a Lebanese army helicopter dropped water on the silos in an effort to douse the flames. Other parts of the northern silos remain at risk of collapsing.

The environment and health ministries last week advised residents living near the port to stay indoors in well-ventilated spaces.

The fire at the silos has been blamed on fermenting wheat stocks and the summer heat.

Caretaker environment minister Nasser Yassin last week said there was an “increased risk” of the northern structure collapsing because the rate at which the grain silos were tilting had increased from 2 millimetres a day to 2.5mm an hour.

The 2020 explosion occurred after a massive stock of ammonium nitrate, which had been sitting in storage at the port for years, caught fire.

The silos, which shielded parts of Beirut from the blast, remain a sensitive topic in Lebanon. The 2020 explosion has been blamed on mismanagement and corruption, and is viewed as a symptom of the country's many systemic problems.

In April, the Lebanese Cabinet approved the demolition of the silos after a survey found they could collapse in the coming months.

But many, including some families of the 2020 victims, want the silos to remain as a memorial. Some believe the government is using the fire as a pretext to allow the demolition of the silos.

An investigation into the port explosion by judge Tarek Bitar has struggled to make headway amid repeated delays. Two sitting MPs in the Lebanese Parliament have been charged in connection with the investigation but have refused to attend interrogation hearings.