Emma Khnaisser came prepared when she checked into Saint George Hospital on the morning of August 4 with her husband to give birth to their son later that day. However, as she was waiting for her delivery, a huge explosion occurred, shattering glass in her hospital room.
These moments were caught on video as her husband Edmond was filming her room transfer on his cellphone just before the blast. Although still shocked by what happened, Edmond wheeled his wife's bed to another room that seemed unaffected by the blast.
Woman Gave Birth Right After Beirut Blast; Walked 600 meters to safety with Her New Baby
"Everything was shattered around," said Edmond who even helped a nurse get off the floor. Soon, nurses and doctors who were injured came in and attended to her.
"They stitched up each other, they were very professional," Edmond told CNN adding that they started the delivery as nothing had occurred. There was no electricity or medicine as the main operation room was fully wrecked, so doctors and nurses used cellphones to light my wife on.
There was no electricity or medicine as the main operation room was fully wrecked, so doctors and nurses used cellphones to light my wife on.
Soon, Emma gave birth to a cute little boy. However, since the situation in the hospital did not permit them to stay, the family needed to transfer to another hospital for post-natal care.
The family was able to come home on the evening of Friday, August 7 and Edmond was just thankful that his family is safe and healthy.
Everything was shattered around when baby George came out
Saint George's doctors continued to monitor the family's situation every day since baby George's birth. Edmond referred them as superheroes as they did not leave them after the blast. "They could be scared and leave but none of them left," Edmond noted.
The impact of Beirut explosion
As of August 7, the Beirut explosion already recorded 157 deaths and more than 5,000 wounded.
Meanwhile, the couple was with both of their parents in the hospital. While Emma was giving birth after the blast, Edmond ran to check on their family who had been waiting on the other side of the hospital.
Damage is seen at the destroyed Saint George Hospital after a devastating port explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 5, 2020, in this image obtained from social media.
Everything in the hospital was destroyed and going through "was a maze." Fortunately, everyone is safe, except for Edmond's mom who suffered a lung injury because of broken limbs due to the explosion. However, she is already stable and out of intensive care.
Tech Times reported that authorities blamed the deadly explosion to 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that have been stored in a warehouse near the Beirut port since 2014. As part of the investigations regarding the blast, 16 people have been arrested including the port manager and other staff.
Read also: The Ammonium Nitrate Blamed on Lebanon Explosion Isn't Really Dangerous, But Here's What Went Wrong
