The Beirut explosion was devastating, but
seeing Lebanon and the world come together
to support Beirut was truly inspring! One story in particular stood out…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDi4x1eA3br/
The story of Pamela Elias Zeinoun, a 26-year-old nurse working in a hospital close to the explosion, is truly awe-inspiring.
Zeinoun saved three babies in the hospital!
She disregarded her own safety for these three babies when she picked them up and immediately took them to a hospital five kilometers away!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmWN56na2J/
“When the explosion happened, I didn’t even know what was going on at the time.
“Everything was destroyed in a matter of seconds.
“When I woke up I was very afraid, because I was thrown [by the force from the explosion] onto the floor from where I was sitting in the nursing station and into another room outside the floor unit.” -Pamela Elias Zeinoun
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDhUQ5sDkkR/
But despite her fear and uncertainty, her instincts to help kicked in and she sprang into action!
“When I woke up from what happened and realized I was okay, I knew I needed to help.”
She checked on the other nurses who had been injured by the explosion. Some of them were bleeding heavily and required medical attention.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDhApxzHk1P/
Zeinoun pulled the nurses out and had them stand by the door of the unit, which is when she checked on the babies.
She removed all of the babies from the unit and took three into her arms!
“At the time I couldn’t think about protecting myself because, these babies, they were under my protection. The babies were around 15-20 days old and they were premature at around 30 weeks, with their weight each below two kilograms.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDlzC5DA3S4/
Zeinoun was at St. George hospital when the explosion happened. The next closest hospital was five kilometers away, where she knew the babies would be safe!
“It was when I was outside that I really saw the magnitude of the devastation that happened, I saw people that were bleeding. I saw residents (doctors-in-training) and doctors suturing nurses and patients alike.
“The emergency room was not even present anymore because it had been destroyed in the blast;
“we were using our phone lights because there were no lights.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwJy4gH67b/
The nurses all worked together to assure the parents of these children that they were okay.
“The parents were able to contact me as other nurses had passed along my number to the parents, who soon realised their children were no longer at St. George. They told the parents
“‘Do not worry, you children are with Pamela. This is her phone number, you can contact her and see your babies.'”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CECFaGpJ543/
Reports said that Zeinoun remained extraordinarily calm throughout the whole ordeal. Truly an amazing feat considering the immense fear that would have no doubt overwhelmed many other people.
According to Zeinoun, that was the only option.
She said she had to remain calm and focus on what to do next because she had three babies in her arms.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEB0XLlDuVM/
The blast not only injured thousands but also killed an estimated 200 people. Judging by the devastation inflicted upon the hospital, Zeinoun, the other hospital staff, and the babies are lucky to have survived. And it was thanks to Zeinoun’s bravery and sheer willpower!
Photojournalist Bilal Jawich was at the hospital when the explosion happened as well, and commented on Zeinoun’s actions, saying
“I was astonished and surprised by how calm she was. She was just doing her duty. She wasn’t looking to be a hero.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CECEu-eBebE/
The explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse in the port which ignited massive stores of ammonium nitrate, a common explosive used in mining and similar industries.
Since that tragic day,
the Lebanese Prime Minister’s government has resigned.
There were massive outpourings of calls for their resignation as the people of Lebanon came together to fix the mistakes the government had made through negligence.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEBmaEJj5dz/
But more importantly, the Lebanese people have come together. There has been a massive movement on social media of people standing together and lifting Lebanon up, spanning generations!
Zeinoun’s story is truly inspiring, she is truly selfless and completely inspiring.
A heroic moment like this is worth celebrating!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
