Part of the giant port grain silos in Lebanon’s Beirut, which was damaged in the 2020 blast, collapsed after a weeklong fire on Sunday.
The northern block of the silos collapsed after what sounded like an explosion, kicking up thick gray dust that enveloped the iconic structure and the port next to a residential area. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.
Assaad Haddad the General Director of the Port Silo, told The Associated Press that “everything is under control” but that the situation has not subsided yet. Minutes later, the dust subsided and calm returned.
However, Youssef Mallah, from the Civil Defense department, said that other parts of the northern block of the silos were at risk and that other sections of the giant ruin could collapse.
The 50-year-old, 48-meter (157-feet) tall giant silos withstood the force of the explosion two years ago, effectively shielding the western part of Beirut from the blast that killed over 200 people, wounded more than 6,000 and badly damaged entire neighborhoods.
