Black smoke from burning waste materials covers Tripoli's sky

BEIRUT — The city of Tripoli woke up on Sunday morning to thick clouds of black smoke caused by the burning of tires, plastics and waste materials, according to our correspondent in the North Michel Hallak.

Despite the environmental and health risks posed by these fires — whose emissions often enter homes and cause multiple health conditions — the burning of waste materials occurred again on Sunday behind the city's Souk al-Ahad. The perpetrators usually start these fires to make a profit as they extract and sell copper.

This has led to serious environmental pollution and growing frustration among residents, who are demanding a radical solution to this problem.

The smoke particularly affects children, the elderly, asthma patients and people with respiratory allergies, causing shortness of breath and other health complications.

Despite repeated appeals from citizens, the concerned authorities have not taken decisive measures yet to stop this phenomenon and apprehend the perpetrators.