Baquil, age 13, who rescued his baby sister after the Beirut blast, ending up in a coma as a result | Credit: Tearfund Partner

SURVIVING THE BLAST

When the explosion hit, Baqil's first thought was his baby sister...

The explosion that hit Beirut in August of 2020 was one of the largest non-nuclear blasts ever. Caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate, it left more than 200 people dead, at least 7,000 injured and over 300,000 homeless.

Baqil, age 13, was on his balcony when he saw smoke rising from the nearby port. After the explosion, he ran inside and grabbed his two-year-old sister. He saved her life, but the blast broke six bones in Baqil's skull, leaving him in a coma. Friends from a Tearfund-supported youth center helped to clear his home when he was released from the hospital.