‘Martyrs for corruption’: the family mourning three firefighters missing in Beirut explosion | The Guardian

‘Not one official has been in touch to help,’ says family member, as Lebanon’s sorrow turns to angerAnger in Beirut after missed warnings over ‘floating bomb’ Beirut explosion: what we know so farBeirut’s ground zero: a rip through the heart of an already dying cityFamily and colleagues agree that Charbel Karam was one of the bravest firefighters at the east Beirut fire department. On Tuesday evening, the 32-year-old was on duty when a fairly routine call came in from Beirut’s port: a warehouse appeared to have caught on fire.By chance, Karam was on shift with his brother-in-law, 27-year-old Najib Hatti, and his wife’s cousin, 22-year-old Charbel Hatti. As the three of them sped down the coastal highway towards the port, Karam video-called his wife Karlen and their two little girls. Continue reading…

‘Not one official has been in touch to help,’ says family member, as Lebanon’s sorrow turns to anger

• Anger in Beirut after missed warnings over ‘floating bomb’
• Beirut explosion: what we know so far
• Beirut’s ground zero: a rip through the heart of an already dying city

Family and colleagues agree that Charbel Karam was one of the bravest firefighters at the east Beirut fire department. On Tuesday evening, the 32-year-old was on duty when a fairly routine call came in from Beirut’s port: a warehouse appeared to have caught on fire.

By chance, Karam was on shift with his brother-in-law, 27-year-old Najib Hatti, and his wife’s cousin, 22-year-old Charbel Hatti. As the three of them sped down the coastal highway towards the port, Karam video-called his wife Karlen and their two little girls.

Continue reading…