Residents call for justice after explosion leaves 135 people dead in Lebanon

People in Beirut have expressed anger at the government over what they say was negligence that led to Tuesday’s huge explosion.

President Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse.

Many have accused the authorities of corruption, neglect and mismanagement.

The blast killed at least 135 people and injured more than 4,000 others.

The country’s supreme defence council insisted that those found responsible would face the maximum punishment.

However, Amnesty International and Human Rights watch have called for an independent investigation into the blast.

The ammonium nitrate which is used as a fertiliser in agriculture and as an explosive had reportedly been in a warehouse in Beirut port for six years after it was unloaded from a ship impounded in 2013.

Meanwhile, a government-led investigation is under way in Lebanon to probe the cause of the massive explosion that ripped through the capital, Beirut.

The government announced on Wednesday that those responsible for guarding and storage at Beirut’s port the epicentre of the blast would be placed under house arrest as soon as possible,

The disaster left at least 137 dead and 5,000 wounded.

Anger has turned to rage after revelations that officials knew the highly volatile material had been stashed at Beirut’s port for more than six years.