Estephan Saeed Rohanna has been missing since the explosion. Courtesy of family
Estephan Saeed Rohanna has been missing since the explosion. Courtesy of family
Estephan Saeed Rohanna has been missing since the explosion. Courtesy of family
Estephan Saeed Rohanna has been missing since the explosion. Courtesy of family

Beirut explosion: from hospital to hospital, one family's search for their missing son

Soldier Estephan Saeed Rohanna has been missing since the huge blast in Beirut's port area, family say

Bassam Zaazaa

August 06, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The family of a Lebanese soldier have described racing around Beirut trying to find their son, who has been missing since a massive explosion destroyed the port area and killed at least 137 people.

Estephan Saeed Rohanna, who was billeted in a military base next to the site of the explosion, has been missing since the blast and resulting shock wave ripped through the city, shattering windows and crumbling parts of buildings.

"We lost contact with him over 40 hours ago," his sister Monica Rohanna told The National on Thursday.

“We know nothing about his fate or whereabouts. We have no clue if he survived … the last person he communicated with was his female friend who got in contact with Estephan when he sent her a video of the fire at the warehouse.”

Ms Rohanna said rescue teams had recovered her brother's bag near the explosion site and his black BMW car was found parked 500 metres away.

A woman stands inside a damaged restaurant. AP Photo
A woman stands inside a damaged restaurant. AP Photo
People and employees attend a mass over the victims who were killed in the blast, at the Al-Roum hospital at Ashrafieh area in Beirut. EPA
People and employees attend a mass over the victims who were killed in the blast, at the Al-Roum hospital at Ashrafieh area in Beirut. EPA
Workers are pictured at the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
Workers are pictured at the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
A man sleeps near a damaged car near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. REUTERS
A man sleeps near a damaged car near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. REUTERS
Workers line at the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
Workers line at the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
People and employees attend a mass over the victims who were killed in the blast, at the Al-Roum hospital at Ashrafieh area in Beirut. EPA
People and employees attend a mass over the victims who were killed in the blast, at the Al-Roum hospital at Ashrafieh area in Beirut. EPA
A view of the port of Beirut on January 25, 2020, left, and on August 5, 2020, a day after the explosion. AFP
A view of the port of Beirut on January 25, 2020, left, and on August 5, 2020, a day after the explosion. AFP
Bride Israa Seblani poses for a picture in the same place where she was taking her wedding photos at the moment of the explosion. Reuters
Bride Israa Seblani poses for a picture in the same place where she was taking her wedding photos at the moment of the explosion. Reuters
People stand with their belongings as they leave their damaged homes. Reuters
People stand with their belongings as they leave their damaged homes. Reuters
A Lebanese man shows injuries on his back after the massive explosion in Beirut. EPA
A Lebanese man shows injuries on his back after the massive explosion in Beirut. EPA
Men are seen sitting inside a damaged home, following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
Men are seen sitting inside a damaged home, following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area. Reuters
A pedestrian takes photos of a badly damaged building in Beirut. Bloomberg
A pedestrian takes photos of a badly damaged building in Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanese Druze clerics check damaged cars. AP Photo
Lebanese Druze clerics check damaged cars. AP Photo
A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by the explosion. AP Photo
A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by the explosion. AP Photo
People walk with their belongings in the area of Mar Mikhael and Gemayzeh. EPA
People walk with their belongings in the area of Mar Mikhael and Gemayzeh. EPA
The curtains in the rooms of the Le Gray hotel in the Lebanese capital Beirut swaying in the wind. AFP
The curtains in the rooms of the Le Gray hotel in the Lebanese capital Beirut swaying in the wind. AFP
A view of a damaged Fransa Bank. EPA
A view of a damaged Fransa Bank. EPA
People check damaged vehicles. EPA
People check damaged vehicles. EPA
Volunteers clean the streets amid the wreckage. Reuters
Volunteers clean the streets amid the wreckage. Reuters
People carry belongings after evacuating their damaged housing units at area of Mar Mikhael and Gemayzeh. EPA
People carry belongings after evacuating their damaged housing units at area of Mar Mikhael and Gemayzeh. EPA
A destroyed Bank Audi SAL branch stands in Beirut. Bloomberg
A destroyed Bank Audi SAL branch stands in Beirut. Bloomberg
A worker wearing a protective face mask stands at the entrance to a destroyed Fransabank SAL branch in Beirut. Bloomberg
A worker wearing a protective face mask stands at the entrance to a destroyed Fransabank SAL branch in Beirut. Bloomberg
Volunteers carry brooms as they walk to clean the streets. Reuters
Volunteers carry brooms as they walk to clean the streets. Reuters
A woman sits in front of a damaged building. EPA
A woman sits in front of a damaged building. EPA
A general view of the Beirut port area after the massive explosion. EPA
A general view of the Beirut port area after the massive explosion. EPA
An aerial view shows the massive damage done to the Electricity of Lebanon building. AFP
An aerial view shows the massive damage done to the Electricity of Lebanon building. AFP
A view of the damaged building of the Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad. EPA
A view of the damaged building of the Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad. EPA
Volunteers gather aid supplies to be distributed for those affected by Tuesday's blast. Reuters
Volunteers gather aid supplies to be distributed for those affected by Tuesday's blast. Reuters
Lebanese men clears rubble, one day after the explosion at the Beirut Port, in the Gemayzeh area. EPA
Lebanese men clears rubble, one day after the explosion at the Beirut Port, in the Gemayzeh area. EPA
Lebanese youth salvage a velvet sofa from a destroyed apartment in the Gemayzeh area of Beirut. EPA
Lebanese youth salvage a velvet sofa from a destroyed apartment in the Gemayzeh area of Beirut. EPA
Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael. AFP
Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael. AFP
An injured Lebanese shop owner sits at her desk selling her wares. EPA
An injured Lebanese shop owner sits at her desk selling her wares. EPA

“Not a single official contacted us regarding his fate or whereabouts. We have been crazily searching for him around Beirut hospitals or looking for any information that could help lead us to something or tell us if he is still alive,” Ms Rohanna said.

Hailing from Batroon in the north of Beirut, the Rohanna family took their search wider by posting a photo of their 26-year-old son across social media with a contact number for tips on his whereabouts.

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The family has searched at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Geitaoui Hospital, Al Zahra Hospital and Al Rasoul Al Aazam Hospital and found no trace.

They are still holding out hope of finding him, heading to check if he had been admitted to Rafik Hariri University Hospital.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
While you're here...
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

AIR
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
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What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

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GCC-UK%20Growth
%3Cp%3EAn%20FTA%20with%20the%20GCC%20would%20be%20very%20significant%20for%20the%20UK.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20My%20Department%20has%20forecast%20that%20it%20could%20generate%20an%20additional%20%C2%A31.6%20billion%20a%20year%20for%20our%20economy.%3Cbr%3EWith%20consumer%20demand%20across%20the%20GCC%20predicted%20to%20increase%20to%20%C2%A3800%20billion%20by%202035%20this%20deal%20could%20act%20as%20a%20launchpad%20from%20which%20our%20firms%20can%20boost%20their%20market%20share.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Remaining fixtures
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  • September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
The%20Afghan%20connection
%3Cp%3EThe%20influx%20of%20talented%20young%20Afghan%20players%20to%20UAE%20cricket%20could%20have%20a%20big%20impact%20on%20the%20fortunes%20of%20both%20countries.%20Here%20are%20three%20Emirates-based%20players%20to%20watch%20out%20for.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHassan%20Khan%20Eisakhil%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Nabi%20is%20still%20proving%20his%20worth%20at%20the%20top%20level%20but%20there%20is%20another%20reason%20he%20is%20raging%20against%20the%20idea%20of%20retirement.%20If%20the%20allrounder%20hangs%20on%20a%20little%20bit%20longer%2C%20he%20might%20be%20able%20to%20play%20in%20the%20same%20team%20as%20his%20son%2C%20Hassan%20Khan.%20The%20family%20live%20in%20Ajman%20and%20train%20in%20Sharjah.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMasood%20Gurbaz%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20opening%20batter%2C%20who%20trains%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Academy%2C%20is%20another%20player%20who%20is%20a%20part%20of%20a%20famous%20family.%20His%20brother%2C%20Rahmanullah%2C%20was%20an%20IPL%20winner%20with%20Kolkata%20Knight%20Riders%2C%20and%20opens%20the%20batting%20with%20distinction%20for%20Afghanistan.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOmid%20Rahman%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20fast%20bowler%20became%20a%20pioneer%20earlier%20this%20year%20when%20he%20became%20the%20first%20Afghan%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE.%20He%20showed%20great%20promise%20in%20doing%20so%2C%20too%2C%20playing%20a%20key%20role%20in%20the%20senior%20team%E2%80%99s%20qualification%20for%20the%20Asia%20Cup%20in%20Muscat%20recently.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

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Day 1 results:

Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)

Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla

Verdict:  Three stars 

Student Of The Year 2

Director: Punit Malhotra

Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal 

1.5 stars

The Lowdown

Kesari

Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra

 

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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.

 

STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Fight card

Bantamweight

Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)

Lightweight

Alexandru Chitoran (ROM) v Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR)

Catch 74kg

Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) v Omar Hussein (JOR)

Strawweight (Female)

Weronika Zygmunt (POL) v Seo Ye-dam (KOR)

Featherweight

Kaan Ofli (TUR) v Walid Laidi (ALG)

Lightweight

Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)

Welterweight

Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)

Bantamweight

Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)

Lightweight

Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Glen Ranillo (PHI)

Lightweight

Alan Omer (GER) v Aidan Aguilera (AUS)

Welterweight

Mounir Lazzez (TUN) Sasha Palatnikov (HKG)

Featherweight title bout

Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR)

While you're here

Heather, the Totality
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