After Tuesday's explosion in Beirut, about 140 people died and more than 5,000 were injured. The explosion was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored in a room without adequate protection measures.

The news has taken a heavy toll on AIK's Felix Michel, who also plays for Lebanon's national team.

- It's awful. It's sick anyway that it can happen. This time we live in now, it's a tragedy, he says.

Worst crisis in decades

Lebanon is in its worst economic crisis since the Fifteen Years' Civil War (1975–1990). In October last year, the political chaos intensified with mass protests against rising living costs and the government's inability to deal with the crisis.

Then came the corona pandemic and the explosion that devastated half of Beirut.

- There is chaos down there after the economic crisis began. Then corona and now this is coming, says Michel.

"It's tough"

The AIK defender has been in contact with relatives and friends in Beirut, but has not been informed that any close relatives have been injured.

- No one I have heard has been injured yet. No friend from the team either. But I have friends there who have friends and family who have been injured and even passed away, he says.

- It has ruined no matter how much, to recover from that, it's tough.