A ship carrying 100 containers of highly flammable materials arrived at the Port of Beirut. After unloading the ship, the State Security - Port Office became aware of the situation. Upon monitoring, it was revealed that these materials cannot be extinguished in Lebanon and that only Turkey has the mechanism and materials necessary to extinguish them in the event of a fire. Additionally, these materials can ignite at low temperatures and are used to enhance the combustion of counterfeit diesel imported by some traders. If ignited, they could destroy the Port of Beirut and part of the neighboring Beirut neighborhoods.
MTV's website learned that the Port Office of State Security contacted the public prosecutor’s office, which ordered an investigation into the matter, the removal of the containers from the port, and their placement under strict guard. State Security summoned the customs agents who processed the ship and employees from the port administration, who showed exceptional cooperation in the investigation, expressing to the investigators, “Please remove them from here; if they explode, we will be killed.” State Security also called in officials from the shipping company for questioning, who were also positively cooperative.
After briefing the public prosecutor about the progress of the investigation, an order was given to re-export the materials. A source at the Port of Beirut reported that 90 containers have been re-exported, while 10 containers remain near the Port of Beirut without clarification on the reason for their non-export. The latest judicial updates indicate that the case has been handed over to the Central Forensic Evidence office in Beirut, and the investigation is currently ongoing directly by the public prosecutor, with summons issued against the traders importing the goods.
