Beirut, Lebanon - August 04, 2024

Hundreds of protesters gathered near the Port of Beirut in Lebanon on Sunday to mark the fourth anniversary of a catastrophic explosion that devastated the capital, killing more than 200 people and leaving 6,000 others wounded.

In downtown Beirut, the families of the victims demonstrated with the hundreds of Lebanese people to mark the fourth anniversary of the explosion. Demonstrators demanded justice as the investigation into the explosion was stalled.

On Aug. 4, 2020, hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in a Beirut Port warehouse. The gigantic blast tore through the Lebanese capital, and devastated large swaths of Beirut, causing tremendous damages.

However, years of obstructions by top officials to dodge accountability and stall the probe have hampered people's hopes for justice.

On Aug. 4, 2020, Mariam Hijazi's life changed when the port explosion left her with injuries and a loss of an eye.

She blames Lebanese authorities for negligence and demands the truth and justice for those hurt in the explosion.

Lebanese Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh said the reconstruction and development of Beirut Port will begin at the end of August.

Shotlist:
Beirut, Lebanon - Aug 4, 2024:
1. Various of protesters demanding justice for Beirut port blast;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) father of Beirut port explosion victim (name not given):
"Criminals have obstructed the investigation, so that they won't be held accountable. Does the criminal hold himself accountable? No. My son was about to get married. He wouldn't hurt an ant.";
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) mother of Beirut port explosion victim (name not given):
"We only want justice. These are our demands. No home country without justice, nothing without justice, and since we are gathered here, everyone who demands his right and is not silent about it will reach justice.";
4. Various of Mariam Hijazi talking, taking off artificial eye;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mariam Hijazi, Beirut port explosion victim:
"I would never imagine this would happen to our country. I was without an eye for a long time. I didn't accept myself and didn't want an artificial eye. I couldn't accept it. I used to look at myself and cry, but my children supported me to get by. That moment psychiatrists started visiting me.";
6. Various of Mariam Hijazi checking photo on phone, showing medicine;
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mariam Hijazi, Beirut port explosion victim:
"I want to know the truth and this is my right. This is the result of the state's negligence, and what did I gain out of their negligence? It's a state that has no justice. There are more than 50 people just like me. They just did the same as me and used an artificial eye.";
8. Various of excavator clearing debris.

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