Monday 10 August 2020

Beirut's tiniest victim: Girl, 3, dies of her injuries three days after explosion that ripped her from her mother's arms inside their flat, before her parents had to dig her out from under rubble with their hands

Perched on top of her father's shoulders as she waves her country's flag, little Alexandra Naggear beams happily.
But yesterday the three-year-old was revealed as the latest victim of the horrific blast that shattered Beirut, dying from her injuries in hospital three days later.
When a fire started at the city's port last Tuesday, Alexandra rushed to the window of her high-rise flat to watch the blaze with her parents.

Minutes later the first explosion hit – and her mother Tracy, 33, picked her up, running away from the glass screaming, trying to shield her.
But when the second major blast struck a few seconds later, the impact of the explosion ripped Alexandra out of her mother's arms.
Proud: Alexandra Naggear sitting on her father Paul’s shoulders. The three-year-old was revealed as the latest victim of the horrific blast that shattered Beirut, dying from her injuries in hospital three days later
Proud: Alexandra Naggear sitting on her father Paul's shoulders. The three-year-old was revealed as the latest victim of the horrific blast that shattered Beirut, dying from her injuries in hospital three days later


At least 158 died when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse went up in flames
At least 158 died when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse went up in flames
When the second major blast struck, the impact of the explosion ripped Alexandra out of her mother's arms
When the second major blast struck, the impact of the explosion ripped Alexandra out of her mother's arms
It took several minutes for her parents to dig her out from under the rubble, her grandfather Michel Awwad, 60, told the Daily Mail last night.
'They were on the balcony just watching like most people,' he said. 'My daughter said she saw a huge grey object falling from the sky and she started screaming for them to run inside.
'She was trying to cover Alexandra, she was holding her daughter and trying to cover her.
'But the pressure of the explosion was so intense and she couldn't keep hold of her and they flew inside the house.'
Mr Awwad said he thought the child hit her head on a piano or a door. Alexandra's parents rushed her to the nearest hospital on a motorbike but could not get in as the building had been hit, and had to find another.
Mr Awwad said: 'I got through to Tracy, she was screaming on the phone, telling me I think we have lost Alexandra. She was a very smart girl, it's so sad it ended like this.'
Alexandra is pictured with her grandfather, Michel. He said it took several minutes for her parents to dig her out from under the rubble
Alexandra is pictured with her grandfather, Michel. He said it took several minutes for her parents to dig her out from under the rubble
Three-year-old Alexandra was killed when she was watching the first explosion on the balcony with her mother
Three-year-old Alexandra was killed when she was watching the first explosion on the balcony with her mother 
Alexandra's father Paul, 36, said she was 'not a martyr, she is a victim'. In a TV interview, Mr Naggear, who owns a digital marketing and consultancy business, told the government: 'You killed us inside our homes. Renounce your parties and unite to overthrow the system'
Alexandra's father Paul, 36, said she was 'not a martyr, she is a victim'. In a TV interview, Mr Naggear, who owns a digital marketing and consultancy business, told the government: 'You killed us inside our homes. Renounce your parties and unite to overthrow the system'
Lebanese anti-government protesters clash with security forces in the area close to the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 August
Lebanese anti-government protesters clash with security forces in the area close to the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 August
Demonstrators take part in a protest following Tuesday's blast, in Beirut, Lebanon August 9
Demonstrators take part in a protest following Tuesday's blast, in Beirut, Lebanon August 9


His daughter suffered broken ribs and needed more than a dozen stitches to her face.
At least 158 died when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse went up in flames.

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