Lebanese in the Zahlé and Bekaa regions felt an earthquake on Saturday afternoon, preceded by the sound of a loud explosion, according to the testimonies of a large number of citizens.
Later, officials from the Lebanese National Center for Geophysics confirmed that the strength of the quake reached 3 degrees on the Richter scale and was preceded by a strong bang.
More than just a jolt
It later turned out that the loud noise that locals were talking about before the earthquake was caused by an explosion in one of the quarries in the Zahle region of a large wall of rocks.
And local Lebanese media said: “After examining the place, it became clear that the explosion was caused by the use of large quantities of explosive materials which were inserted deep into the ground.”
The news triggered a wave of anger on social media and in Lebanese public opinion, as many felt that the lack of accountability and the spread of corruption were leading the country to more disasters to the detriment of health and welfare. the safety of people.
Commenting on the news of the explosion which caused an earthquake, seismologist Tony Nemer said: “Today’s earthquake in the outskirts of Zahlé is suspicious, similar to the earthquake that occurred on May 6 in the Haut Kesrouan region of Mount Lebanon, which occurred in the Ksarat region.
An earthquake occurred in the Kesrouan region of Mount Lebanon on May 6, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, followed by a second earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale.
Many have said that the causes of this tremor are “suspicious” and could be linked to explosions that occur in quarries in the Kesrouan region.
Nimr called on the security forces to take the matter seriously to verify the causes of these tremors and stop them, “especially if they were caused by explosions”, adding that “such actions can trigger earthquakes with unimaginable consequences”.
Rock explosion on an earthquake fault!
One of the reporters was able to post a photo of the blast site in the crusher, referring to the explosives used to blast and shatter the rocks for resale.
According to Nimr, the photos show “a natural wall of rock, which is a visible part of a large fault in the area, which is probably the Yammouneh seismic fault that crosses Lebanon”.
Nimr warned against “carrying out explosions in such places, as the matter poses exceptional danger in terms of induction of earthquakes.”
In turn, Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said: “Some time ago we issued the decision to close this quarry, and there is a judicial indication from the Bekaa Environmental Prosecutor to seal it. with red wax.
Yassin confirmed that he was following up with the attorney general and security officials to investigate the matter.
Late intervention of the security forces
Late Saturday evening, and after a great controversy sparked by the incident, the Bekaa region command of the Internal Security Forces opened an investigation report to find out if there had been an explosion in the quarries of Twity in the district of Zahlé, according to the Lebanese newspaper News. Agency.
Lebanese army intelligence is setting up a security cordon around the quarries in the town of Tweiti, pending the presence of an explosives expert to inspect the premises.
The journalists replied via social networks that “these movements came late as usual, especially since the owners of the quarries continue their illegal actions without any responsibility. The recurrence of these incidents would expose the Lebanese to a real disaster and devastating”.
The Lebanese live in fear
The Lebanese fear the possibility of a strong earthquake or earthquake in their country, located in a sensitive seismic zone in the region, especially after the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and northern Syria last February.
Despite issuing several circulars urging regulation, quarry owners in Lebanon continue to work in several areas without accountability or oversight, and in a manner that violates minimum safety and environmental standards.
There are many quarries in the mountains of Lebanon, where huge mechanisms plunder the green spaces and the mountains.
Many say that the owners of the grinders are protected from influential people and politicians in the country.
Read the Latest World News Today on The Eastern Herald.
