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

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

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.

“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.

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.