Beirut, Lebanon explosion: Rob Shehadie says thousands of Australians could have been killed

Comedian and Lebanese-Australian Rob Shehadie says COVID-19 has been a blessing in disguise for thousands of Aussies who normally would have been holidaying in Beirut at the time of the deadly blasts.

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Comedian and Lebanese-Australian Rob Shehadie says coronavirus has been a blessing in disguise and prevented thousands of locals from being killed in the Beirut explosion on August 4.

The blast from a warehouse on the port claimed 157 lives and left thousands injured.

Shehadie, a western Sydney native, has an aunt and extended family living in Beirut, where the explosion destroyed his cousin’s office, but fortunately none of his relatives lost their lives.

An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, damaged by an explosion on August 4. Picture: Haytham El Achkar/Getty Images

It has been 10 years since Shehadie visited his ancestral home but he is only too aware that many Aussies could have lost their lives in the horrific blasts if it were not for coronavirus restricting worldwide travel.

“One thing I’ve been telling people is we could be mourning a lot of Australian deaths because at this time of the year there’s a lot of Aussie Lebs walking around the hotels there so it could have been worse,’’ he said.

Rob Shehadie.

French rescue workers search for victims and survivors under the rubble of a building in the Gemayzeh neighbourhood in Beirut on August 6. Picture: AFP

“So there was a bit of a blessing in a way. There would have been thousands over there.

“A lot of family and friends have dodged a bullet as well because they would have been there holidaying in summer.

“It’s another blessing as well that 70 per cent of that blast was out to the water.’’

As the world looks to assist victims, Shehadie says the local Lebanese community is also trying to search for ways to help them, but must overcome setbacks.

A soldier stands at the devastated site of the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 6, 2020 two days after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital. Picture: Thibault Camus/AFP

“People have lost homes so they’ve just blown up the whole port so if we were to send clothes and whitegoods there’s a lot of hurdles but everyone’s trying to work out how to help,’’ he said.

Lebanon is no stranger to unrest but Shehadie is adamant it will bounce back.

“People say it’s unstable but I think the whole world is unstable,’’ he said.

“Lebanon is thousands of years old and Beirut has been rebuilt seven times, and the Lebanese always bounce back. We’re resilient people; we’ll bounce back from this.’’