Six years after Beirut blast, families fight for truth

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that families of victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion marked the sixth anniversary of the disaster on August 4, 2026, while continuing to press for accountability. The blast, caused by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, killed at least 218 people, wounded thousands, and devastated large parts of Lebanon’s capital.

The article says relatives of the dead and injured have spent years challenging political and legal barriers to the investigation. It highlights the cases of firefighter Joe Noun and nurse Sahar Fares, who died while responding to a fire at the port shortly before the explosion, and Alexandra Naggear, a young child whose death became a powerful symbol for affected families. Their relatives are among those demanding to know who was responsible for leaving the dangerous material at the site.

According to Al Jazeera, the inquiry has been repeatedly delayed by political interference and judicial obstruction. The piece notes that earlier judges faced pressure and that the investigation was halted at one point by the former public prosecutor. It adds that after Lebanon elected a new government in 2025, acting public prosecutor Jamal Hajjar allowed Judge Tarek Bitar to resume work.

The families now say the case has reached a crucial stage, with the file reportedly sent to the Court of Cassation after the indictment decision was sealed in March. They want the review completed without further delay so criminal trials can begin, arguing that the search for truth remains unfinished six years after the blast.