A day after two catastrophic explosions tore through Lebanon's capital Beirut, heart-broken families are still desperately trying to find news of loved ones while picking through the shattered wreck of their homes and neighbourhoods.
"We're devastated, we're just aching to hear a good story," Tatiana Hasrouty, whose father Ghassan has been missing since yesterday, told The National from Beirut. "We just want to hear something about him. We're crying all the time and we couldn't sleep."
Mr Hasrouty went to work as a manager at the operating room for the port's underground chambers at 6.30am on Tuesday. His family last spoke to him when he called his wife at 5.30pm, asking for a pillow and blanket.
He was so snowed under with work he intended to stay the night.
Before any of the family were able to leave their home in the Sin Al Fil district with the supplies, the first explosion happened.
The second broke all the windows in the house.
"We turned on the TV. At first, they said that they were targeting former-prime minister [Saad] Hariri, and then they said it was at the port. We started calling him and texting him, but nothing. And still now, nothing," she said.
The family believe he and seven of his co-workers are trapped beneath the rubble at the port, and they fear no one is trying to help them. They have contacted the Health Ministry and visited hospitals but have found no trace of him yet.
Damaged cars are pictured in front of billowing smoke behind the grain silos at the port of Beirut. AFP
A drone picture shows smoke from the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut. AP Photo
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun wears a protective face mask as he visits the scene of Tuesday's explosion in Beirut. AFP
An emergency command vehicle of the Lebanese Red Cross is pictured in the aftermath of yesterday's blast. AFP
A man inspects the damage of yesterday's blast. AFP
A survivor is taken out of the rubble after a massive explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
A damaged hospital is seen after a massive explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut.AP Photo
An ambulance drives near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
Lebanese national flags fly at half-mast outside the presidential palace in Baabda, following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
A woman is evacuated from the partially destroyed Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael. AFP
An injured man sits next to a restaurant in the trendy partially destroyed Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael. AFP
A man walks past damaged building and vehicles near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past damaged buildings and vehicles near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
A woman sweeps at a damaged hospital following Tuesday's blast, in Beirut. Reuters
A man wearing a face mask moves a gurney at a damaged hospital following Tuesday's blast in Beirut. Reuters
The wreckage of a ship is seen following yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
Lebanese soldiers and people gather outside American University of Beirut medical centre following the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre following an explosion in Beirut. Reuters
The explosion caused damage to Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab's office
The damage at Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab's office following the blast.
Pictures of the damage at Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab's office
People gather outside American University of Beirut medical centre following the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre following the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
Damaged vehicle and buildings near the scene of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Beirut. AFP
A man pushes a buggy with a child on Wednesday past a damaged vehicle near the scene of overnight blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
In this drone picture, the destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris. AP Photo
People inspect the damage near the scene of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
People inspect the scene of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
Shattered glass lies in front of a building following a blast in the Lebanese capital Beirut. AFP
Lebanese army troops carry a wounded man evacuated from a ship at Beirut's port. AFP
This picture shows damage at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. Courtesy Lebanese Plane Spotters / Facebook
Mr Hasrouty, 59, has worked at the operations room for 38 years and suffers from hypertension.
"My father is a great, hardworking man. He’s so brave and he taught us to be too," said Ms Hasrouty.
"He takes really good care of us, of everyone he knows. Everybody loves him because he is kind to everybody. He would never let anyone down and I truly believe he is a hero, and heroes always survive."
The family do not believe the authorities are doing enough to find those who are missing, and they have not done enough to keep them informed of what is happening.
Around 100 people are thought to still be missing following the explosion of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate at Beirut port, causing such a large blast that a seismic event of 3.3 magnitude was recorded.
At least 113 died on Wednesday, with thousands injured and around 300,000 left homeless the extent of the destruction was so great – nearly 50 per cent of Beirut is damaged.
An Instagram account set up to assist the search efforts for those lost in the Beirut explosion has amassed almost 92,000 followers in a day. It posts the images of missing loved ones along with their names and last-known location.
On Wednesday afternoon, Cyprus’ foreign minister said two police helicopters were on their way to the Lebanese capital with 10 emergency response personnel and eight sniffer dogs to help locate survivors. International rescuers from all over the world also began to arrive to help sift through wreckage and rubble.
However, for Ms Hasrouty, it is the Lebanese government who need to step up.
"If you notice so much help is coming from foreign countries – our country isn’t working enough," she said.
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
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