Together with the world, AMAA learned that today, in the evening (EST/PT morning), multiple explosions rocked a downtown area in Beirut, Lebanon and that the damage is extensive. Casualties are feared and the area hospitals are overwhelmed with injured people. It is not yet known what caused the explosions. The blast was said to have been heard 25 miles south of the city and the streets in Beirut are paved with glass.

Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO, connected with Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East. Rev. Haidostian communicated that there are no known casualties within our community, however the damage to our area schools and buildings caused by the explosion is significant. This includes the Armenian Evangelical Central High School of Ashrafieh, Armenian Evangelical College, First Armenian Evangelical Church and Haigazian University.