THE Lebanese community in Bahrain yesterday expressed shock and outrage after a massive port warehouse explosion ripped through Beirut on Tuesday causing death and widespread destruction.
At least 135 people were killed and more than 5,000 injured in the blast that not only sent shock waves in the Lebanese capital but also among expatriates across the world, including Bahrain.
Many were yesterday mourning the loss of friends, loved ones, property and family businesses.
Bahraini businessman Akram Miknas, who operates the McDonald’s franchisee in Lebanon, said he had lost an employee in the blast.
The Lebanon-born founder and chairman of Promoseven Holdings added five other employees were injured.
“This is a true catastrophe and shows what a failed state we have, allowing highly explosive materials to be stored at the port,” he told the GDN.
“I cannot understand how the government can be so irresponsible; this blast has affected everyone.
“We lost one of our Lebanese staff who worked in our Fortune Promoseven (FP7) office; she was hit in the head by shards of glass as the windows shattered.”
Mr Miknas said he contacted the female employee’s family and offered his condolences.
“We also had three staff who sustained minor injuries and two others who are in hospital.”
All five were working for McDonald’s.
He said he had about 2,000 employees working in Lebanon, adding that many McDonald’s outlets were damaged with glass panels shattered.
“One of our branches that is 15km away from the port site was also damaged.”
Mr Miknas added that the blast had also destroyed the country’s main grain silos.
“The explosive materials were stored in a warehouse next to the country’s main grain silos that were completely destroyed.”
Lebanon’s economy and trade minister Raoul Nehme told Reuters yesterday that they needed reserves for at least three months to ensure food security, adding that reserves now stood at “a bit less than a month”.
Meanwhile, Lebanese resident Ibrahim Al Hassan told the GDN that his sister and her husband were admitted to hospital with injuries sustained in the blast.
“My sister and her husband work at a bank and sustained injuries from flying glass and are in hospital,” he said.
“They are in a stable condition now, but since the blast happened we are glued to the TV or making calls to check on our families.
“One of my friends’ cousin died in the blast while his sister is still in hospital, as she is in a state of shock with hands shaking constantly.”
Another Lebanese resident who wished to be identified as only Nadine said she was worried about her family in Beirut. “My family is safe but one of our friends’ house was completely damaged,” she said.
“There are hundreds in a really bad condition right now and many people are still missing.”
Bahrain’s embassy in Syria said all Bahraini citizens in Lebanon are safe but people with queries could call the hotlines – 00963991144444, 009613824709 – or the Foreign Ministry’s operations office in Bahrain, 0097317227555.
The explosion comes at a time when Lebanon faces acute political and economic crisis, and three days before a UN-backed tribunal is set to give its verdict in the killing of former prime minister Rafik Hariri in a truck bombing more than 15 years ago.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Khawla Matar suffered minor injuries in the explosion, Shura Council first deputy chairman Jamal Fakhro announced yesterday.
“We wish our dear friend, Bahraini journalist and United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Khawla Matar, a speedy recovery from her injuries resulting from the blast that hit Beirut on August 4, 2020 when she was in her flat in Al Jumaizah. May God have mercy on those who died and heal those injured,” he tweeted.
l Bahrain Red Crescent Society director general and acting general secretary Mubarak Al Hadi said they are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for directives from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) societies.
“We are waiting for an international appeal and will closely work with our counterparts in the region in organising campaigns, provide financial assistance and look into the requirement of first responders,” he told the GDN.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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