As the world marks the fourth anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion, the Lebanese authorities are still evading accountability, leaving victims’ families in a state of ongoing frustration and grief. Despite documented failures and mistakes by officials, no one has been held responsible for what has been called the “crime of the century.”
The investigation has been at a standstill since February 2023, with the lead investigator, Judge Tarek Bitar, sidelined and hindered by administrative obstacles. Families of the victims are demanding justice and protesting regularly, calling for accountability for the negligence that led to such a catastrophic event.
Amid all the challenges, the new Prosecutor General has yet to take any action, further delaying the process. Calls for an international fact-finding mission by organizations like Amnesty International have brought attention to the lack of progress in the domestic investigation.
The story of the Beirut port explosion is one of tragedy, frustration, and a system resistant to accountability. As the victims’ families continue to seek justice, the whole world watches to see if those in power will be held responsible for this monumental disaster.