The Tunisian government announced it was taking precautionary measures in transporting and storing dangerous materials to limit the risk of an explosion similar to the Beirut port blast a week ago.
The government called for utmost vigilance and caution during the storage, disposal and transportation of dangerous materials.
On August 4, an unsecured stock of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut’s port killing more than 160 people and injuring 6,000 more. The blast demolished entire neighborhoods of Lebanon’s capital in seconds.
In a statement carried by the German News Agency, the Tunisian government stressed vigilance in law enforcement, while monitoring standards in granting licenses for transportation and storage of dangerous materials.
The cabinet also announced the formation of a national committee in charge of transport and storage of dangerous chemical products.
The committee, which will include representatives from various relevant sectors, was tasked with delivering a report within three weeks.
The cabinet meeting decided to activate the joint local committees so as to control the transport and storage of the dangerous products.
Comparisons between the two countries have been drawn due to heavy bureaucracy and the disruption of services at ports, which increased fears of an explosion in Tunisia similar to the Beirut blast.
