Lebanon hospitals race to treat surge of injuries caused by pager attack

Hospitals in Lebanon Struggle to Treat Surge of Wounded After Coordinated Attack

Lebanese hospitals are facing overwhelming pressure as they work around the clock to care for thousands of patients, including Hezbollah members, injured in a large-scale attack targeting the militant group’s communication devices.

The devastating attack on Tuesday resulted in at least nine deaths and left over 2,800 individuals wounded. According to Lebanon’s Health Minister, Dr. Firass Abiad, around 200 of those injured were in critical condition, requiring urgent surgeries or intensive care.

Many of the victims sustained injuries to their face, abdomen, hands, and eyes, as reported by the state news agency NNA. Chaotic footage from inside one of Beirut’s hospitals revealed staff frantically attending to dozens of bleeding patients. Some were lying on the floor while others were carried in with severe injuries to their limbs and faces.

Health Minister Abiad personally visited several hospitals in Beirut on Tuesday evening and again on Wednesday morning to oversee the response efforts. During his visit, he noted that due to the overwhelming number of casualties, the Ministry of Health had begun directing patients to hospitals outside the capital and its southern suburbs.

The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), one of the largest hospitals in the country, received over 190 patients and quickly reached full capacity. The medical center announced that it could no longer accommodate patient transfers, citing safety concerns.

In response to rumors circulating on social media, AUBMC strongly denied any connection between the attack and recent upgrades to its paging system. The hospital clarified that its communication system had been updated in April 2024 and became fully operational on August 29, 2024.

In a statement, AUBMC condemned the spread of conspiracy theories during such a critical time, emphasizing the dedication of its staff to handling the aftermath of the attack. “Our physicians, nurses, and staff are fully mobilized to care for the injured. Any attempt to link this tragic event to our communication systems is baseless and false,” the statement read.

This tragic event has put immense strain on Lebanon’s healthcare system as hospitals continue to cope with the aftermath. The efforts of healthcare workers remain focused on saving lives and providing urgent care to the critically injured.