A BBC Breakfast star voiced his concerns after receiving a stern “put your cameras down” directive whilst in Beirut.
Reporting from the frontline of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega described being on the ground during what was considered the “deadliest day” in Lebanon’s recent memory, where civilians, including children, lost their lives.
Bachega recounted his harrowing experience to Charlie Stayt live on air: “So yesterday there was more chaos and confusion. It was the deadliest day here in Lebanon since the start of this current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.”
“I was in southern Beirut when one of those explosions happened. There was panic because many believed that no electronic device was safe. Several Hezbollah members stopped us, telling us to put down our phones, to not use our cameras. So this gives you a sense of the feeling here.”
He went on to explain the atmosphere in the country: “There’s also a lot of anger across the country because of the extent of the attacks. These explosions happened as people were shopping, were at home with their families. For Hezbollah this is a massive humiliation, this is perhaps the worst security breach in the group’s history,” reports the Express.
He raised the question: “What happens next? Is it the beginning of a wider Israeli offensive against Hezbollah? I think this is one of the key questions here. Last night the Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said his country was at the start of a new phase in the war. Here in Lebanon, Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate.”
Concerned for the reporter’s safety, social media users expressed their fears, with one imploring: “Keep yourself safe Hugo! It’s honestly terrifying.”
Another wrote: “Can’t believe Charlie didn’t even tell Hugo to stay safe in Lebanon on #BBCBreakfast.”
The deadly blasts from walkie-talkies on September 18 claimed 20 lives and left over 450 injured, while pager explosions resulted in 12 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries. BBC Newsday journalist Sally Abou Al Joud reported that many victims suffered facial and eye injuries.
She explained: “We’re talking about hands injured, severely injured fingers torn, I’ve heard some doctors say we need to perform amputation surgeries to remove hands, [and]… they need to perform surgeries for eyes to remove them.”