The owner of a cruise ship which was sunk by the huge explosion at the port of Beirut last week has filed a lawsuit against “all those responsible”.
The blast killed two crew members of the Orient Queen and wounded several others, according to a post on the ship’s owner’s Facebook page.
The port of Beirut was destroyed on Tuesday last week when a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate caught fire and caused a massive explosion, killing at least 154 people and wounding more than 5,000.
The blast has caused heightened tensions in Lebanon, with many blaming a negligent government for allowing the dangerous material to be stored so close to residential areas.
Lebanon’s national news agency reported that “entrepreneur Merhi Abou Merhi, the owner of the Orient Queen cruise ship, has filed a lawsuit against all those responsible for this catastrophic blast.”
VIDEO # 101 from Beirut, Lebanon:
A boat that sank at Beirut port. I'm not entirely sure but that looks like the Orient Queen cruise ship to me. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. pic.twitter.com/JnLxTwTSO8
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 5, 2020
The state agency said the suit was the first of its kind and had the potential to pave the way for similar legal action.
The Orient Queen, which has the capacity for 300 guests, was docked in its home port when the explosion happened.
Travel Weekly has contacted Abou Merhi Cruises for comment, but is yet to receive a response.
Featured image source: Twitter/@seafarerr.com
