Israel Doctor: Many eye operations after explosions in Lebanon

After the simultaneous explosions of hundreds of portable radio receivers in Lebanon, many of the 2,800 injured require eye surgery.

"Most of the injured have serious eye injuries, other surgeons had to amputate arms," said an ophthalmologist in one of the large hospitals in Beirut. Due to the large number of injured, plastic and dental surgeons had to help out in the late evening and at night. At least nine people were reportedly killed.

Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad visited victims in several hospitals and said that people had mainly suffered injuries to the eyes, other parts of the face, hands and abdomen. It is likely that many of the victims had the radio receivers, known as pagers, in their hands or pockets when they exploded.

Lebanon's healthcare system under severe pressure

The healthcare system in Lebanon is under enormous pressure and is barely prepared for such a large number of casualties. Due to a financial crisis that has been going on for years and an unprecedented devaluation of the local currency, many hospitals and other medical facilities are struggling to procure medicines and other equipment.

Due to power cuts and fuel shortages, medicines often cannot be stored properly either. There is a lack of staff, and other hospitals have had to cut jobs or close due to financial hardship. Even basic care is no longer guaranteed for many patients.

"The hospitals were overwhelmed," said Sulaiman Harun, head of the hospital syndicate in Lebanon, to the German Press Agency. Most of the injured had to be operated on immediately, but some had to wait until today after the explosions on Tuesday evening. "Our hospitals lack medicines because of the fragile situation in our health system."

Iraq sent an airplane with medicines. In the south of Beirut, aid workers set up several tents to collect blood donations. The Ministry of Health also called on the Lebanese to donate blood.

The streets of Beirut were largely empty the day after the explosions. Schools and universities remained closed in memory of the victims and in protest. Some authorities and government institutions also remained closed.

SDA