Six years after the catastrophic 2020 Beirut port explosion, the families of those lost are still gathering to demand accountability for a tragedy that claimed over 220 lives and left thousands injured. For survivors and grieving relatives, the passage of time has done little to soothe the trauma, as the investigation into the blast—caused by years of improperly stored ammonium nitrate—remains stalled. Families like Hiyam al-Bikai’s, who lost her son, continue to voice their deep frustration over the lack of arrests and the ongoing impunity that prevents them from finding any semblance of closure.

While the lead investigator, Judge Tarek Bitar, has reportedly concluded his probe into dozens of high-ranking officials and civil servants, the legal process remains trapped in bureaucratic limbo. Justice Minister Adel Nassar has suggested that a formal indictment could be finalized within a few months, finally clearing the path for a trial. Despite years of political interference and legal obstacles aimed at dismantling the investigation, advocates like William Noun remain steadfast. For these families, the fight is not just about retribution; it is a desperate quest to uncover the truth about who allowed the explosives to be stored in the city and who ultimately bears responsibility for the "great crime" that devastated the capital.