Status: 02/23/2023 20:12
Two and a half years after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut, a London court partially held a British chemical company accountable. The victims’ families are now awaiting compensation.
For the first time since the explosion disaster in the port of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, two and a half years ago, a court has issued a verdict in the case and named the culprits. The London High Court has ruled that a chemical company must take responsibility for the victims, according to the Lebanese Bar Association.
The judges thus considered it proved that the Savaro company, based in Great Britain, had supplied large quantities of ammonium nitrate to the Mediterranean country. The highly explosive chemical, stored in the port of Beirut for years without protective measures, would have caused the explosion.
For the victims’ relatives, it is the first legal success in the matter. Because in Lebanon itself, investigations are making little headway. Accused former ministers and judiciary officials have long delayed the investigation process. Many Lebanese blame the catastrophe on the political leadership, which they accuse, among other things, of corruption and cover-up.
More than 190 people died in the explosion.
The Lebanese Bar Association filed a civil suit in London on behalf of several relatives. Plaintiffs hope the verdict will spur further prosecutions. In the course of the process, London judges now want to set a compensation amount for victims, according to the Bar Association.
To avoid a fine, company officials would have tried unsuccessfully to dismantle Savaro. Initially, the group did not comment on the court decision.
The explosion in Beirut in August 2020 killed more than 190 people and injured an estimated 6,000. The detonation also destroyed much of the port and surrounding residential areas.