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460 Wild Fires Erupted In Lebanon, Some Of The Worst In History
After what can only be deemed as a “hellish” night, Lebanese people awoke this morning to acres of burned land – a painful sight to see.
Forests, homes, cars, belongings, schools, universities, roads, and more had been destroyed in the aftermath of the raging fires that had erupted in Lebanon, swallowing everything in their way.
For two nights, Lebanese people had been subject to some of the worst wildfires in history, which amounted to a total of 460, according to sources from the operation room at the Grand Serail. They gradually subsided on Tuesday night with the heavy rainfall that showered over Lebanon.
It all started when a massive fire erupted in Mechref, a village in Chouf, on Sunday at around 1 AM. Unconstrained, the flames spread to nearby homes and resident areas, eventually reaching a mine field and resulting in multiple explosions.
Despite the combined efforts of civil defense teams and locals in the area, the fires spread to neighboring villages, ignited by the sudden rise in temperatures and high winds. They reached Debbieh, Na’ameh, Damour, and Aramoun.
Meanwhile, more fires broke out in several other areas in Lebanon, including Akkar, Ghazir, Hammana, Aley, Kfarhbab, Nabatieh, Bnachii, Miziara, Jeita, Cornet El Hamra, Kfarmatta, Zaatari, Jounieh, and Mansourieh, to name a few.
According to Director-general of the Civil Defense, Raymond Khattar, these wildfires were “some of the worst in decades.”
Choppers were sent over from Cyprus, Jordan, Italy, and Greece to help combat the fires, which complemented the undeniable efforts of Lebanese and Palestinian Civil Defense, the Lebanese Army, Lebanese Security Forces, and brave citizens.
The fires sadly claimed their first victim, Salim Abou Mjahed, early Monday morning. Abou Mjahed is a civilian and a hero who had risked his life trying to help put out the fires in his area, near his home. He sadly passed away from smoke inhalation.
Our heart goes out to his friends and family, and to all those affected by the fires.
Forests, homes, cars, belongings, schools, universities, roads, and more had been destroyed in the aftermath of the raging fires that had erupted in Lebanon, swallowing everything in their way.
Wildfires in #Lebanon have left 18 people in hospital. Lebanese Army helicopters and planes provided by Cyprus were fighting the fires, as dozens of Civil Defence teams worked to extinguish blazes that entered residential areas.
— The National (@TheNationalUAE) October 15, 2019
📸: Wael Hamzeh / EPA pic.twitter.com/ZjBorRQGl8
For two nights, Lebanese people had been subject to some of the worst wildfires in history, which amounted to a total of 460, according to sources from the operation room at the Grand Serail. They gradually subsided on Tuesday night with the heavy rainfall that showered over Lebanon.
It all started when a massive fire erupted in Mechref, a village in Chouf, on Sunday at around 1 AM. Unconstrained, the flames spread to nearby homes and resident areas, eventually reaching a mine field and resulting in multiple explosions.
The heart is so heavy! My country is literally burning. People lives are in danger. Fires are reaching homes & schools. No one assumes responsibility. Since the helicopters are not maintained, riot police cars are being used to put out fires. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/mUddtcz7al
— Abir Ghattas ✊🏼 (@AbirGhattas) October 15, 2019
Despite the combined efforts of civil defense teams and locals in the area, the fires spread to neighboring villages, ignited by the sudden rise in temperatures and high winds. They reached Debbieh, Na’ameh, Damour, and Aramoun.
Meanwhile, more fires broke out in several other areas in Lebanon, including Akkar, Ghazir, Hammana, Aley, Kfarhbab, Nabatieh, Bnachii, Miziara, Jeita, Cornet El Hamra, Kfarmatta, Zaatari, Jounieh, and Mansourieh, to name a few.
According to Director-general of the Civil Defense, Raymond Khattar, these wildfires were “some of the worst in decades.”
Two fixed-wing #firefighting aircraft of the #Cyprus Department of Forests #now en route to #Lebanon responding to urgent request for assistance in combating raging forest #fires. We stand in #solidarity with friends & neighbours in times of difficulty. #Together we are #stronger pic.twitter.com/DS3oTp4R5x
— Cyprus MFA (@CyprusMFA) October 14, 2019
Choppers were sent over from Cyprus, Jordan, Italy, and Greece to help combat the fires, which complemented the undeniable efforts of Lebanese and Palestinian Civil Defense, the Lebanese Army, Lebanese Security Forces, and brave citizens.
#حرائق_لبنان pic.twitter.com/SYSz91PBbZ
— (@LebISF) October 15, 2019
The fires sadly claimed their first victim, Salim Abou Mjahed, early Monday morning. Abou Mjahed is a civilian and a hero who had risked his life trying to help put out the fires in his area, near his home. He sadly passed away from smoke inhalation.
While the Lebanese government is silently watching the country burn to the ground, Salim Abou Mjahed risked his own life to help put out the fires. #لبنان_يحترق pic.twitter.com/g8J3O2HuXK
— Fatima (@fatimalmahmoud) October 15, 2019
Our heart goes out to his friends and family, and to all those affected by the fires.