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From Our Own Correspondent: Beirut seeks answers

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Beirut seeks answers

08/08/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Beirut seeks answers

The aftermath from the Beirut explosion, plus stories from South Africa, Iran and France.

The aftermath from the Beirut explosion, coronavirus surges in South Africa, the stigma of Covid-19 in Iran and the abandoned pets left behind in favour of a holiday in France.

Whole neighbourhoods in Beirut were blown away at the explosion at the port on Tuesday. With it, the blast took homes, work places and lives. As the rescue effort has now slowed, focus has turned to those who bear the responsibility for the devastation. Lizzie Porter examines the aftermath.

The rate of coronavirus infections in South Africa has been steadily climbing, nudging the country into the company of the US, Brazil, Russia and India in terms of world highs. The country has now surpassed half a million cases. But the fuller picture is one of contradiction. There is an indication that the measures to contain the virus are working, on some level. And then, as Andrew Harding has experienced, the pandemic has also exposed what definitely isn’t working in South Africa.

Iran has seen a significant surge in Covid-19 infections since mid-May, causing some restrictions to be reinstated. However, the severity of the outbreak has been difficult to assess and there are concerns that the situation has been significantly worse than the government has reported. Behind the death tolls, though, are the Iranian people and the lives lost – as Jiyar Gol is all too aware.

After weeks of lockdown, France’s roads will be clogged as the summer exodus gets underway. But, as Chris Bockman has heard, it is also an ugly reminder of another annual summer trend that the French have become known for. According to a recent campaign, they are the European champions for abandoning their pets.

Presenter: Pascale Harter
Producer: Bethan Head
Editor: Bridget Harney

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