'Martyrs for corruption': the family mourning three firefighters missing in Beirut explosion

Not one official has been in touch to help,' says family member, as Lebanon's sorrow turns to anger

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Family and colleagues agree that Charbel Karam was one of the bravest firefighters at the east Beirut fire department. On Tuesday evening, the 32-year-old was on duty when a fairly routine call came in from Beirut's port: a warehouse appeared to have caught on fire.

By chance, Karam was on shift with his brother-in-law, 27-year-old Najib Hatti, and his wife's cousin, 22-year-old Charbel Hatti. As the three of them sped down the coastal highway towards the port, Karam video-called his wife Karlen and their two little girls.