Just after 6:00 PM on August 4th, 2020, an explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut killed at least 125, injured 5,000 and displaced over 300,000. The city’s nightlife has been gravely impacted as well.
The Guardian reports that among the structural damage inflicted on dozens of buildings belonging to shops, restaurants and other businesses, “a whole nightclub district was virtually wiped out.” Establishments like The Ballroom Blitz, The Gärten, The Grand Factory, AHM and B018 were located near the epicenter of the blast, according to Mixmag, as well as an illegal rave space called The Egg.
“The nightclub district is indeed all along the port but the damage means nothing to our team in comparison to the apocalyptic disaster our country went through,” The Ballroom Blitz Co-Founder Moe Choucair told Mixmag.
A fire that broke out in a facility housing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate is suspected to have caused the explosion according to Lebanese President Michel Aoun. Many fear the city’s economy will be unable to bear the burden of the tragedy, which will compound issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. A source who spoke to Reuters accused lawmakers of “inaction and negligence” for failing to properly dispose of the hazardous waste.
Donations to benefit victims of the Beirut explosion can be made via the Red Cross.
Image credit: Baptiste MG
