Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh brought back the issue of hazardous materials at the Zouk thermal power plant back into the spotlight, warning that a catastrophe similar to that witnessed on August 4, 2020, could unfold if authorities do not take immediate action.

"Four years have passed since the explosion of the century at the Beirut port. Every official had denied knowing about the presence of dangerous materials or had written a referral document to shift the blame. When the time came for accountability, everyone shirked responsibility," Sayegh wrote on his X account.

Sayegh's remarks come as a stark reminder of the Beirut port blast on August 4, 2020, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. The disaster, caused by mishandled ammonium nitrate, highlighted severe lapses in safety and governance. 

"Today, all those in power are officially aware of the materials being stored at the Zouk plant, yet they are leaving people to face a grim fate. They have turned the Public Procurement Law into a fig leaf," Sayegh added. 

Residents near the plant in Jounieh have been recently particularly concerned about the presence of hydrochloric acid. This highly corrosive substance, while not flammable on its own, can react violently with various materials, posing a significant risk.