Lebanon: The families trying to escape as country falls into chaos

Lebanon's descent into economic and political chaos - both symbolised and exacerbated by the 2020 Beirut explosion - has forced much of its population into the hardest of decisions: whether to stay and hope things will improve, or risk life and limb seeking a better future abroad.

The latter often means a treacherous sea journey to Italy via small boat - a crossing more and more Lebanese are attempting, and that's claiming more and more lives in the process.

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[deivyarias]

As a father of 4. I pray for this man and the rest of the people all over the world that risk everything for a better place. For those of us living in comfortable homes with good lives. Never judge another man’s decision to better his life and that of his family.

[rosemarytony]

I feel for this husband and father who lost his precious family, and others like him who are forced to flee Lebanon. May God help this country and its beautiful people!

[Dream_more_age_less]

It's just devastating..May God give him the strength to continue living

[dyawr]

3:10 I can't even imagine... I would go mad if I was the only surviving one, from our family of 6, and all my children died plus I have no property left to even start over. It is maddening, I hope this man finds the strength to carry on. May those 5 souls rest in peace🕯

[opheliamyall]

I feel this man's pain. So heartbreaking for him and the others who lost their loved ones.

[lavidamia]

I can't imagine the pain he deals with day after day... I feel almost guilty and desperate to help, even though I don't know how. Just know people of Lebanon that we are praying for your families and a better tomorrow. My heart mourns your losses and prays for a better future.

[qwenqwen]

I too have experienced fleeing a country by boat. I feel your pain, and pray for anyone in similar situations. Peace and safety to all.

[mahdedarmo]

the pain we cause each other.. insurmountable

[margaretelmajed]

Heartbreaking my heart is broken for this poor man, his wife and innocent children that drowned.

[adammerhi]

I will return to Lebanon in 2 days but it is very sad to see how our own politicians have ruined the country, before everyone came to Lebanon now everyone runs away

[Michel]

I'm sorry for these people, smugglers preying on their desperation and people treating them as criminals. Bless them.

[gedenironald]

As a South African who complain about useless things, man, this father breaks my heart, loosing his wife was so hard but his children oh, how do we expect this man to heal from this. May God work in him and through him. My hurt is saddened.

[fatimaahmed]

sitting in the comfort of my home and watching this, my heart breaks into a million pieces for these people....may the souls of the departed rest in peace. Merciful God, protect the homeless, the abandoned and the hungry....Ameeen.

[ellabella]

As a parent I'm so sad for this man, and the unfair trauma he and his family went through. I wish it was different for these people. If your a believer, keep praying to help these families situation.

[blackdarkghost]

I'm not Lebanese, but judging from what I've seen after two visits to Lebanon as a tourist, and also meeting Lebanese ppl in several places around the globe, I can testify to something that I think Lebanese ppl don't want to admit even to themselves: Lebanon is a nation so anti-itself. Religious sectarianism is engulfing their country. They know that all too well, but they don't seem to be willing to set their hates aside and carry on. They even treat others - the non-Lebanese tourists or colleagues or acquaintances they meet around the world - on grounds of religious differences like they do to each other back at home.

[eddiek]

There are no words to describe this man.s pain.God would struggle

[abdillahimohammed]

As a parent i cried together with the father, stay strong dear friend 🥺🇰🇪

[BuckRolly]

The greedy smugglers putting 170 people on a boat built for 50😤

[BlackCoffeeee]

I'm deeply, deeply sorry for this man. It's unimaginable. But the smuggling business has to be stopped. That crossover along the Mediterranean is deadly. It's hard enough for a regular boat crewed by skilled adults, but an over-packed boat filled with inexperienced adult passengers and children is a deathwish. These criminal smugglers operate from both sides of the waters and are literally killing men, women and children for cash.

[oguzb.]

I visited Lebanon 6 years ago from Turkiye. The luxury and richness surprised me, luxury cars everywhere, luxury cafes and restaurants were full, lots of luxury flats were being built, people were consuming like their money will never end. Any production? No. Factories? No. From that day i said to myself, this country will collapse soon.