triggered by grains that had fermented and ignited in the summer heat. The northern block of the silos toppled on Sunday, kicking up thick grey dust that enveloped the iconic structure and the port next to a residential area.

General Director of the Beirut Port Silos Assaad Haddad told The Associated Press that "everything is under control". Minutes later, the dust subsided and calm returned. However, Youssef Mallah, from the Civil Defence department, said that other parts of the silos' northern block were at risk and that other sections of the giant ruin could collapse.