"Unresolved Intrigue: Beirut Port Blast Investigation and Disputed Death Toll 3 Years Later"
Three years after the devastating explosion in Beirut's port, attempts to hold those responsible accountable are hindered by political intrigue, while the final death toll remains disputed. Many Lebanese have lost faith in their crumbling state institutions, and families of victims continue to struggle to have their loved ones recognized as blast victims. Calls for an international investigation have been renewed, with Lebanese and international organizations appealing to the UN Rights Council for justice and accountability. The anniversary was marked by a march in Beirut, where victims' families called on the international community to assist in the investigation. The Lebanese government's count of 191 deaths is disputed by a local group, which puts the toll at 236. Amidst the lack of progress in the domestic investigation, some victims have started filing cases abroad against companies suspected of bringing in the highly explosive ammonium nitrate.