LOS ANGELES – Lebanese flags waving on Lebanon Street in downtown Los Angeles symbolize the pain of the community after a massive explosion at Beirut’s port on Tuesday.
What You Need To Know
- On Tuesday, Lebanon's capital, Beirut, was hit with a massive explosion at its port
- At least 135 have been confirmed dead, and thousands injured
- LA's local Lebanese community gathered at a candlelight vigil on Lebanon Street to honor those lives lost
- Siraj Aboulhosn, an Angeleno and Lebanese American, details the emotional pain of losing his childhood friend, Jawad, in the explosion
The damage stretches for hundreds of miles, and the explosion was felt by residents in the nearby country of Cyprus.
Los Angeles’ Lebanese community convened on Lebanon Street to remember the victims of the unforeseen tragedy. Siraj Aboulhosn is a Lebanese American who helped plan the candlelight vigil—many of his family and friends still reside in Beirut.
“First thing that came to mind is my family. My brother was in downtown Beirut 30 minutes before the incident in Ashrafiya. I called them right away, found out everybody’s OK, but some relatives, we couldn’t get ahold of them,” Aboulhosn said.
Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, is known as the “Paris of the Middle East,” with scenic ocean views and narrow avenues bustling with coffee shops and community gatherings.
The recent tragedy changed the sight of its port to an unthinkable disaster.
Aboulhosn was able to confirm and locate his family, but he lit a special candle to remember a dear friend killed by the explosion.
“I found out that my friend that I went to middle school with passed away. It was very tragic to hear that news. Jawad, I’ve known him for over 25 years now, big built, everybody loves that guy,” he said.
At least 135 people have been confirmed dead, and thousands were injured. The cause of the explosion continues to be under investigation.
“Seeing the bombs is one thing. Seeing things flying off the roof is a whole other emotion, seeing the bodies on the streets of Beirut, but when you find out that a friend of yours passed away, I mean it hits you. It hits you very, very hard,” he said.
Constantly checking up on his loved ones, Aboulhosn is determined to build awareness for the plight of Lebanon, a nation that had already been undergoing a political and economic crisis.
“I pledge to not let my friends passing go uncounted for. I pledge to do everything in my power and help as much as I can," he said.
Aboulhosn said that begins by honoring the innocent lives cut short, here with his local community.
Local nonprofit Roads of Success is gathering donations from Angelenos to help with relief efforts on the ground in Beirut. To support, visit roadsofsuccess.com.