Smoke, deflagrations heard in Beirut Port part of army's emergency drill

If Beirut residents saw smoke and heard explosions at the Beirut Port on Tuesday, there is no cause for concern: The Lebanese Army is conducting two days of drills simulating emergencies based on scenarios involving “chemical and radiological substances.”

The army announced in the morning that it will carry out a two-day exercise at Beirut Port on Nov. 11 and 12, simulating responses to chemical and radiological emergencies.

The drill, which includes live fire, sound and smoke grenades, will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and "the public is urged to avoid the area during that time."

The exercise, conducted in coordination with the National Authority for Lebanon’s compliance with international agreements and with the European Union, will focus on preparing and executing emergency response scenarios in the port environment.

The Army Command urged "citizens and fishing boat owners not to approach the exercise area at the times and location mentioned above."

Citizens passing by the port recorded the fire and posted it on social media, where it was widely shared.

Smoke from the port can awaken vivid memories, or trauma, among the Lebanese, still marked by the Aug. 4, 2020, explosion.

On that day, at 6:08 p.m., one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in modern history destroyed neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital, killing about 235 people and injuring thousands. The explosion was caused by a fire that set off the detonation of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored dangerously at the Beirut Port.