This week, Armenia Media will be speaking to people on the ground in Lebanon following the massive explosion at the port of Beirut on Tuesday August 4th, which caused extensive damage to the surrounding structures, including highly Armenian-populated areas.

The explosion was in close proximity to noted Armenian-populated towns, including Bourj Hammoud, Khalil Badawi, Hadjin, Mar Mikhael, Achrafieh, Antelias and Beirut, resulting so far in a count of 13 Armenian-Lebanese deaths and over 250 injuries.

Before the explosion, in mid-June, Armenians in economically-ravaged Lebanon suffered severe Armenophonic protests by neo-Ottoman activists in Lebanon. Protesters rallied with Turkish flags through the Armenian Quarter of Beirut, while threatening the Armenian population by calling for another Genocide.

Lebanon is still experiencing record-high Coronavirus cases as the country tackles the aftermath of the explosion that has overwhelmed hospitals in Beirut.

On August 14th, the country recorded its highest number of daily case increases since the outbreak started in February. Until this point the number of cases have been relatively low in comparison to other countries, however they have begun to rapidly increase since mid-July and therefore caused an acceleration of Lebanon’s economic collapse.

Interviews will premiere at 8:30pm AEST every day this week with Armenians who have been affected by the explosion.

Interviews will be conducted on Australia Live by Armenia TV – at Armenia Media’s Facebook page – with Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Primate of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Lebanon, Hagop Havatian of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Lebanon Central Committee, Nyree Derderian – Chairperson of the Armenian Relief Society Central Board, Nazeli Avakian from the Armenian Relief Society of Lebanon, as well as Armenian-Australians currently stuck in Lebanon, Mr. and Mrs. Varant Meguerditchian and Houry Mayissian and members of the Armenian-Lebanese youth.