What exactly happened in Beirut?

On the 4th of August, a massive explosion occurred in the port area of Beirut, capital of Lebanon, injuring more than 6500 people and affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands. Four months later, a lot has been done but the work is far from finished.

Why did Beirut explode?

“The evidence overwhelmingly shows that the August 2020 explosion in Beirut’s port was caused by the actions and omissions of senior Lebanese officials who failed to accurately communicate the dangers posed by the ammonium nitrate, knowingly stored the material in unsafe conditions, and failed to protect the public,” …

Was the Beirut explosion on a ship?

October 2013. In October 2013, a Moldova-flagged ship on its way from Georgia to Mozambique stopped at Beirut port after about a month at sea. Owned by a Russian businessman, the Rhosus merchant vessel was carrying some 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate when it docked in Lebanon.

Who owned the ship that exploded in Beirut?

Igor Grechushkin
Lebanese judicial officials could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. The Rhosus, which flew the flag of Moldova, arrived in Beirut in November 2013, two months after it left the Black Sea port of Batumi, in Georgia. The ship was leased by Igor Grechushkin, a Russian businessman living in Cyprus.

How Safe Is Beirut for tourists?

According to the Foreign Office the city is largely safe to visit. However, it warns against all travel to several suburbs in the south of the city, near the airport. Of the country as a whole, the FCO warns of a “moderate” risk from petty or violent crime, and says visitors should take sensible precautions.

Is Beirut safe?

This might come to your surprise, but Beirut, Lebanon’s capital city, is one of the safest places in the country. Female travellers can dress normally here, streets are well developed (although incredibly busy) and there’s a pretty cool nightlife scene.

What language is spoken in Beirut?

“Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in which the French language is to be used”. The French language is used on Lebanese pound bank notes, road signs, vehicle registration plates, and on public buildings, alongside Arabic.

What religion is in Beirut?

The main two religions are Islam with (61.1% of the citizens (Sunni, Shia, and a small number of Alawites and Ismailis) and Christianity with 33.7% of the citizens (the Maronite Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Protestantism, the Armenian Apostolic Church).

Is Beirut expensive?

Another survey, the 2021 Cost of Living Index produced by Numbeo, also ranked Beirut as the most expensive among 26 Arab cities and 57th among 598 cities around the world. The cost of living in the city was higher than about 90 percent of cities covered by the survey compared to only 58 percent in the previous year.

Is Beirut worth visiting?

For us, Beirut felt way safer than many other cities. Overall, based on our experience, I would say that with this amount of security in place, Beirut is a safe place to visit – and it is definitely an amazing place to visit.

What was the main entry point into Beirut?

The government-owned Port of Beirut serves as the main maritime entry point into Lebanon and a vital piece of infrastructure for the importation of scarce goods. The Beirut Naval Base is a part of the port.

When did the car bomb happen in Beirut?

On 15 August 2013, a car bomb exploded in Beirut, Lebanon killing twenty seven people and injuring over two-hundred people. The car bomb was intended for the stronghold of Hezbollah.

What was the cause of the Beirut explosion in 2020?

For the 1983 explosions, see 1983 Beirut barracks bombings. On 4 August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, exploded, causing at least 207 deaths, 7,500 injuries, and US$ 15 billion in property damage, and leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless.

What is the name of the Central District of Beirut?

The Beirut Central District (BCD) or Centre Ville is the name given to Beirut’s historical and geographical core by “Solidere”, the “vibrant financial, commercial, and administrative hub of the country.”. It is an area thousands of years old, traditionally a focus of business, finance, culture and leisure.