'I’m destroyed': Syrian father loses daughters and wife in Beirut explosion

As Syrian father Ahmed Staifi rushed home after a huge blast rocked Beirut last week, he heard his daughter calling out from beneath the rubble of their apartment.

"I came to see my family, and I found this. One of my daughters was yelling 'Dad, Dad I don't want to die,'" recalled Staifi, whose family had escaped Syria's war around six years ago.

She survived, as did another child who remains in intensive care. But his youngest and oldest daughters - Jude and Latifa, aged 13 and 24 - did not.

His wife was also killed as a cloud rose into the sky from a warehouse explosion at Beirut port, sending shockwaves across Lebanon's capital.

It reduced the three-storey building where Staifi's family lived into slabs of concrete and twisted metal.

His wife had fled relentless bombing in Syria for refuge in Lebanon, where Staifi made a living as a labourer - only to die in the biggest explosion to ever hit Beirut.

"My wife had called me and said Ahmed, I'm fleeing the war and coming to you. Death followed her here," he said.

The explosion, which killed at least 163 people and injured 6,000 more, demolished entire neighbourhoods of Lebanon's capital in an instant.

#GlobalNews

[melvincanoy]

"No one understands my pain" hits me. I feel really sorry for him. Really.

[shaynajewell]

My heart aches to hear these stories. Having left their home in Syria to begin a new life in Lebanon, only for this to happen now. It's so sad. I sincerely hope that his daughter survives. He has lost enough. :(

[JackieBaisa]

My heart hurts for him. To have escaped war only to die in explosion rubble is a tragedy beyond comprehension.

[Rootcauses]

He is still in shock. There is a numbness to his eyes that speaks of trauma. This man is in a world of hurt. What a vacuum state. Unbelievably sad.

[sparksmacoy]

Poor man is in shock, I hope people over there look after him.

[rustygun]

That guy needs whatever friends and family with him. He needs to be taken away from that place and cared for with compassion. He's going to need a lot of support, help, and love.

[anastasia-frgn]

For the politicians it’s just a “mistake” but for all these people it’s their lives...and nothing they do can bring all those people back...

[Moxxieful]

when he said "war followed me here" that broke my heart inside.

[justsomeguywithamoustachea]

Hope his other daughter gets better and give this poor man a reason to continue living and pushing forward for the sake of his daughter

[migilortiz]

Poor man, his family with him escaped death in Syria just to die there.

[gogoxltrends]

So very tragic moments for this syrian man, i feel the pain hoping that he will overcome all of this so sad

[anjedewrance]

My Brother, the rain falls through my eyes for your losses.

[stikmalegecko]

Prays go to his daughter. And hopefully they can reunite away from all disasters.

[dread.]

Leaves Syria just for this to happen ..RIP brother

[neshifuturo]

people there don't deserve that pain, praying for You and others that lose their loved once

[gailgray]

Prayers for this man, how heartbreaking.

[chamodrajapakse]

I dont have words to express my angry with lebanese government

[hardstylerawstylelover]

So sad I'm so sorry for you RIP to your daughters and wife 🙏

[musicguy]

I wouldn’t want to live anymore if I were in that situation. I hope he finds solace and reasons to go on living even though he’s been handed a horrible life right now. Much love to Syria and Lebanon. I hope brighter days are here to come for them 💜

[azia]

I feel so bad for the dad who lost every things and even his family.😢😢😢🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💛 it so heart broken💔💔