Armenia’s Embassy in Lebanon expressed solidarity with the families of those killed in the Beirut port explosion, in a statement marking six years since the disaster.
“On the sixth anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon honors the memory of the victims and stands in solidarity with their families and the Lebanese people,” the statement said. “May their souls rest in peace, and may Lebanon find justice and healing.”
The embassy published the statement in English, Armenian and Arabic.
The explosion happened on August 4, 2020, at 6:07 p.m. local time, caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored for around six years in Warehouse No. 12 at the port without appropriate safety measures. At least 218 people were killed, including 13 Armenians, more than 7,000 were injured, and the shockwave left around 300,000 people homeless.
It ranks among the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history. The force registered as an earthquake between magnitude 3.3 and 3.5, and was felt on Cyprus, about 240 kilometers away. Damage to the economy and infrastructure has been estimated at $10 billion to $15 billion.
The blast tore through the districts ringing the port. Mar Mikhael, Bourj Hammoud and Achrafieh, home to Beirut’s Armenian community for a century, took the force of it. Haigazian University reported damage in every building and on every floor. The Shaghzoyan center, which houses the offices of Aztag Daily and Vana Tsayn Radio, was damaged, as was the Rosdom club in Achrafieh.
Six years on, no one has been convicted. The final death toll remains disputed, with the Lebanese group Maan counting 236 and the government count standing at 191.
