2 years later, victim of Beirut blast still in coma

BEIRUT (AA) – Lara Hayek has been in a coma for two years since the massive explosion at the Beirut Port in Lebanon.

On Aug. 4, 2020, Beirut was rocked by a massive explosion that changed the course of events and upended the lives of many people in the country.

More than 200 Lebanese lost their lives and 6,500 of them were injured, while some 50,000 housing units suffered damage, with material losses estimated at about $15 billion.

Authorities believe the explosion was caused by about 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate which had been confiscated from a ship and had been stored at the port for six years.

The explosion took a toll on many victims, including Lara, 43, who has been in a coma since that fateful day.

Lara’s mother Najwa Hayek said Lara “fell into a coma after her heart stopped for a while and then she stayed in the American University Hospital in Beirut for three months before she was transferred to the Bhanes Hospital.”

Lara suffers from brain damage and it is not known when she might regain consciousness and recover, according to the mother.

Since the port explosion, the families of victims of the blast have been holding vigils to demand accountability for those involved, but accusations against judicial investigator Tarek Bitar by former government officials who are suspects brought his probe to a halt.