In an already fragile state, the country that has been plagued by political, social and financial issues for decades, the catastrophic explosion in Beirut on Tuesday is just stronger proof that Lebanon needs help, and fast.
The strain on Beirut's hospitals, already barely coping with myriads of coronavirus patients, has been intensified with hospitals in Beirut now overwhelmed with casualties. Four of its hospitals are also out of service due to damage by the explosion.
Lebanon’s cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital city, following the massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday, that has claimed the lives of at least 135 people and injured another estimated 5000 people.
One Greek woman, Anna Armaou, a Greek national living in Beirut, lost her eye in the deadly explosion and shared her account of the incident, as reported by Protothema,
“I was home, I live on the fourth floor. There was nothing left, everything was destroyed. They took me to three hospitals and there was no place to put me,” the injured Greek woman told SKAI.
“Blood was running from my face and eyes, people were running like crazy on the street,” she continued.
Anna was lucky compared to some. It was confirmed late Tuesday by the Greek Embassy in Lebanon that a Greek citizen died in the explosion that rocked the capital. Five other Greeks were also injured.
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his support, tweeting: “On behalf of the Greek people, I want to express my deepest condolences to the people of Lebanon, especially to the families who have suffered losses and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. Our thoughts are with you,” also adding that “Greece stands ready to provide any assistance needed.”
An investigation is under way to find the exact trigger for the explosion. Lebanon’s government announced on Wednesday that those responsible for guarding and storage at Beirut's port - the epicentre of the blast - "would be placed under house arrest as soon as possible."
Here's what we know about the blast:
Here's how you can help and provide some much-needed support: