Rabat – A series of wildfires have been ravaging different regions of Lebanon since the evening on Monday, October 14. The fires started and spread due to high temperatures and strong winds.
Lebanese civil defense recorded 105 fires in different regions of the country. Many of the fires are still uncontrolled and are threatening to consume a number of houses and schools.
استمرار عمليات الاطفاء لإخماد الحريق الذي شب في كفرمتى-المشرف-بعورته-دقون وسط ظروف مناخية قاهرة.
Posted by المديرية العامة للدفاع المدني اللبناني on Monday, 14 October 2019
The fires have so far claimed one human casualty. Salim Abou Moujahed, a 32-year-old man, died from a heart attack after helping firefighters control the fires. The man underwent heart surgery prior to the incident.
من ذكريت..
..حوالي ١١٠ حرائق على الاراضي اللبنانية خلال الساعات الـقليلة الماضية… الف تحية من اليازا إلى المديرية العامة للدفاع المدني والى جميع المتطوعين الذين يواجهون الحراءق بإمكانيات ضعيفة… ان حجم هذه الحراءق غير مسبوق منذ سنوات طويلة جعلنا نقترح إعلان حالة الطورىء pic.twitter.com/SzFx5pHhzK— YASA for Road Safety www.yasa.org (@yasalebanon) October 15, 2019
Lebanon’s Ministry of Interior has declared a state of emergency. The Minister of Interior, Raya Haffar El Hassan, announced on Twitter that they contacted a number of neighboring countries for help controlling the fires. Cyprus, Greece, and Jordan have already responded positively and will send help.
اتصلنا بعدة بلدان من الممكن ان تساعدنا لاخماد الحرائق والطائرتان القبرصيتان تعملان منذ أمس على اخماد الحرائق، وفعّلنا آلية للاستجابة السريعة، و اليونان استجابت لطلبنا وستوفد طائرتين لمساعدتنا كما ان الاردن أبدت استعدادها أيضا لارسال المساعدة. pic.twitter.com/wlsr0jvf68
— Raya Haffar El Hassan (@rayaelhassan) October 15, 2019
Social media users launched a solidarity campaign with Lebanese people, under the hashtags #PrayForLebanon and #لبنان_تحترق (Lebanon is burning).
Give Lebanon the same energy you gave the Amazon rainforest, it’s just as important‼️‼️‼️‼️#PrayForLebanon #LebanonFirepic.twitter.com/Q5ZWdP4Ury
— maria✞ (@MarmouraIsMe) October 15, 2019
Lebanon is burning.Probably the biggest fire this country has seen.
Houses have been destroyed, acres of trees have been razed..
We dont have the necessary equipment/tools to fight the raging wildfires
We need international help
Share the message & #PrayForLebanon #لبنان_يحترق pic.twitter.com/vntPTInEJP— Romy (@romyjournalist) October 15, 2019
the most beautiful regions in my country have been reduced to ashes today. it’s so heartbreaking to watch this happen with so little being done. may god protect this country cause no one else is going to. #لبنان_يحترق #PrayForLebanon pic.twitter.com/TErzUPeArv
— pray for lebanon ?? (@nishiincya) October 15, 2019
