Ghassan Hasrouty had worked in the large grain silo in the port of Beirut for 38 years. During Lebanon's long civil war, the working days behind the massive concrete walls became a security, and to his family, Ghassan always said that it was the safest place in all of Beirut. But when the working day began for Ghassan and his six colleagues, no one knew that the biggest explosion Beirut had ever seen would soon destroy the port.

"We did not even get the chance to say goodbye properly," Ghassan's daughter told Reuters.

Many relatives are now critical of the rescue operation, which should not have started 40 hours after the explosion. Ghassan's family is trying to keep hope alive, but believes that far too little is being done by the authorities.

"These missing people are not just a number," his son Elie told Reuters.