Lebanon blast probe nears indictment as families mark sixth anniversary demanding justice
Lebanon marked the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion on Tuesday, with families of the more than 200 victims demanding justice as the long-stalled investigation nears a critical phase.
The Aug. 4, 2020, blast—triggered by the ignition of 2,750 tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate—killed at least 218 people, injured over 7,000, and displaced 300,000 residents, devastating large parts of the capital. The explosion remains one of the most powerful non-nuclear blasts in modern history, with its shockwave felt as far as Cyprus .
Investigations into the disaster have faced years of political interference and legal challenges, but recent developments suggest progress. Judge Tarek Bitar, the lead investigator, submitted a final report to prosecutors in late March 2026, accusing 70 individuals of various offenses linked to the explosion, according to a high-ranking judicial official who spoke anonymously to Reuters. President Joseph Aoun, who took office in early 2025, has publicly urged Bitar to issue a formal indictment, calling it “a necessity that can no longer tolerate delay” .
Justice Minister Adel Nassar told the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project that prosecutors expect to finalize their legal opinion within 60 to 90 days, after which Bitar can issue the indictment. Nassar emphasized that the judiciary operates independently of his office and declined to comment on the report’s contents .
Victims’ families and legal representatives have expressed cautious optimism but also concerns about the scope of the investigation. Zena Wakim, a lawyer representing blast victims with the Swiss-based group Accountability Now, questioned whether the probe would address how the ammonium nitrate entered Lebanon and its intended destination. “My fear is that a half-justice is rendered because there are parts of a sprawling case which, for one reason or another, are not being investigated,” Wakim said .
Paul Naggear, whose 3-year-old daughter Alexandra died in the explosion, told Reuters that the lack of accountability has made it impossible for families to grieve. “In normal countries, we would have finished this long ago and moved on with our lives, with the right to mourn,” he said. “As long as there is no justice, her life has no value” .
The anniversary comes as Lebanon grapples with ongoing crises, including the destruction of southern towns like Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, where Israeli airstrikes have left entire neighborhoods uninhabitable. The reconstruction cost for the latest damage is estimated at up to $20 billion, according to local officials .
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