Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Wedding photographer Mahmoud Nakib was out and about taking pictures of a stunning bride on a sunny day in Beirut before the explosion took place on Tuesday. Completely unaware of the horrific incident that was about to happen, the bride is seen posing in video footage for what was supposed to be the luckiest day of her life.

The smile on her face is soon swept away by the shockwave, which suddenly stirs up her wedding dress and knocks down the camera. The square where the wedding photoshoot was taking place was just around 0.75 miles away from the port where the explosion occurred.

Lebanon’s health minister reported that at least 135 people were killed, 5,000 wounded, and more than 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes. As authorities are investigating the cause of the catastrophe, it is now believed that 2,450 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate may be to blame.

The photographer captured how the catastrophic explosion in Beirut sent a shockwave through the city and swept the bride away

Image credits: WSAV3

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

The 29-year-old Lebanese bride Israa Seblani stood smiling and posing for her wedding video before, all of a sudden, the deafening shockwave swept through Beirut. Israa and her husband, 34-year-old Ahmad Subeih, were struggling to process all the horror that happened.

The bride told the Guardian that she had been preparing for her big day for two weeks and was so happy to finally be getting married, like all other girls.

Meanwhile, her husband Subeih said that there are no words to explain what happened. “I was shocked, I was wondering what happened, am I going to die? How am I going to die?”

The wedding photoshoot was taking place just 0.75 miles away from the port where the blast happened

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

The bride and her husband are still in shock. “I have never heard anything similar to the sound of this explosion.” Luckily, the bride and photographer were not injured. After the blast, the newlyweds tried to compose themselves and proceed with celebrations.

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Seblani felt extremely sad about what happened to Lebanon and its people, and she’s grateful to be alive. “When I woke up and saw the damage that happened to Beirut, the one thing I said was thank God we are still alive,” she told Reuters.

Photographer Mahmoud Nakib shared the footage of the explosion on his social media

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

The disaster hit Lebanon, a nation already struggling with an economy in free fall, rising food prices, and the coronavirus pandemic. There are multiple ways to help the victims of the explosion.

The Lebanese Red Cross is seeking donations to help with disaster prevention and relief. Other organisations that are accepting donations to help out the country suffering from the disaster include Lebanese Food Bank, Impact Lebanon, and Amel Association.

People were left horrified

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

Image credits: Mahmoud Nakib

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Read less »

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Ladies and Gentlemen 4 years ago

Lebanon, most people when they hear this word, the first thing come to thier minds is muslim nation. What they dont know about this country is(now its kind of "was", things changed here as well just like in Iran) its one of the most coolest Islamic country after Iran(of 70s). If you doubt me, just google "Iran 70s" and look at Images. The people are so chilled out and partying all the time in Lebanon. I personally call Lebanon party capital of world, coz its such a cliche, on one hand you see people following Traditional Islamic practices to the word and the same people go mad partying as the sun sets. And yes, one of most hospitable people ever. Sadly i was there only for 4 days and dont think will ever go back, too many other destinations to cover. Said that, i feel very saddened by loss of lives lost or people injured in this explosion, no one should die such an indignified/untimely death. RIP.

21points

Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago (edited)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I agree completely with your description about Lebanon. Beirut was called "The Paris of the Middle East" for decades prior to the war. It was peaceful, and the multiple faiths were able to live peacefully with / next to one another. Everyone that I have ever known who lived there before & during the war, said that it was a shock to everyone. It would be like any major city (London, Sydney, NY, Paris, Barcelona, Tokyo etc etc) suddenly being destroyed by it's own people. Heartbreaking that it happened, Wonderful to see it improving, and heartbreaking again at such unfortunate losses with this event. :(

17points

Load More Replies...

Lou Lopez 4 years ago

I'm an American who hates American politics, so this might be my own bias speaking, but this skewed vision of Islam (all terrorists and child brides!) is the only one most people know. There are many Islamic majority countries that have elected women to lead (But her e-mail!), have optional hijab traditions (it is something that rarely takes the wearer's feelings into account, by which I mean in some places its compulsory and in others it's forbidden), and are largely not terrorists. It would be just as fair to describe Christianity as terrorism on account of the crusades/witch trials, yet you never see people acting like England or Spain are homicidal backwaters. I'm bummed that Beirut had to go through this, it's not fair after all the violence their citizens have endured.

6points

Mascha Claessens 4 years ago

When I hear Lebanon, I mostly think amazing and diverse food, which is usually in line with being a 'cool' and diverse country. It's sad what happens here, and all that has happened before...

0points

Andrew Boss 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago

1.2km away, for all non-USA folk. :)

9points

kitty_player 03 4 years ago

CAN 2020 GET ANY WORSE?????

5points

Potato 4 years ago

DON'T JINX US

2points

Load More Replies...

Rebekah 4 years ago

This is a question which we should not utter.

1point

Marek Yanchurak 4 years ago

Don't even...

0points

Cori 4 years ago

The photos of her walking in the streets are so jarring. The juxtaposition of what should be a beautiful, joyous occasion with the utter horror that surrounds her is intense.

4points

BananaGirl 4 years ago

So sad... but the bride is stunningly beautiful

2points

Azure Adams 4 years ago

Wow! Glad they're ok and unhurt.

2points

LC Greenwood 4 years ago

So sorry their joyous occasion coincided with this terrible incident. Peace and joy to this couple

1point

Cat Nip Gal 4 years ago

Wow, that's so sad, on the other hand, she looks so pretty!

1point

Hollysmom 4 years ago

So sad

0points

Jane Dorothy Warner 4 years ago

It's intimate images like this that bring home the horror of explosions. Poor girl, one moment revelling in her wedding, standing proud and gorgeous and ready for her future, and the next terrified and wondering in a heartbeat if that was the end of her dreams. My heart fell for her. I truly hope she will recover, mentally.

0points

Gina Babe 4 years ago

Awful, she looked gorgeous. I feel awful for this

0points

SirPatTheCat 4 years ago

Oh my god I really underestimated the volume that the explosion would have!!! Was watching with headphones and mine was only turned up three and it still scared me (even knowing it was coming) because of the sheer volume and suddenness compared to how calm and happy the beginning of the video was. Especially the weird reverberating guttural noise that felt like it was moving through the entire surrounding area, I have never heard anything like that in real life, that was freaky. Those poor people, I can't imagine how loud, surprising and scary it must have been for them in real time. I hope no one's hearing was damaged too badly, but I'm not sure how being .75 mi away affects them?

0points

Freya_is_bored 4 years ago

Damn imagine getting married and then your city blowing up. that's awful the poor couple.

0points

Eagle Girl 4 years ago

Jumped off my seat at the explosion & I knew. Can't even imagine their horror. God Bless xoxo

0points

LagrangePoint 4 years ago

Pretty lady, nice smile. Hope they are all well.

0points

Jessica 4 years ago

They're literally not that well. That explosion destroy the hospital and killed lots of people and injured even more

1point

Load More Replies...

Silvy 4 years ago

Let's keep praying for that nation

-1point

E. Rangel 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Karen Pierre 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

alexaranzola 3 years ago

Karen Pierre +

0points

Load More Replies...

curkas 3 years ago

Karen Pierre easy

0points

tanith_coutinho 3 years ago

Karen Pierre easy

0points

catalina_p23 3 years ago

Karen Pierre what

0points

phoneuo 3 years ago

Karen Pierre yes

0points

axj9000 3 years ago

Karen Pierre like

0points

Max L. 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Ladies and Gentlemen 4 years ago

21points

Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago (edited)

17points

Load More Replies...

Lou Lopez 4 years ago

6points

Mascha Claessens 4 years ago

When I hear Lebanon, I mostly think amazing and diverse food, which is usually in line with being a 'cool' and diverse country. It's sad what happens here, and all that has happened before...

0points

Andrew Boss 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago

1.2km away, for all non-USA folk. :)

9points

kitty_player 03 4 years ago

CAN 2020 GET ANY WORSE?????

5points

Potato 4 years ago

DON'T JINX US

2points

Load More Replies...

Rebekah 4 years ago

This is a question which we should not utter.

1point

Marek Yanchurak 4 years ago

Don't even...

0points

Cori 4 years ago

The photos of her walking in the streets are so jarring. The juxtaposition of what should be a beautiful, joyous occasion with the utter horror that surrounds her is intense.

4points

BananaGirl 4 years ago

So sad... but the bride is stunningly beautiful

2points

Azure Adams 4 years ago

Wow! Glad they're ok and unhurt.

2points

LC Greenwood 4 years ago

So sorry their joyous occasion coincided with this terrible incident. Peace and joy to this couple

1point

Cat Nip Gal 4 years ago

Wow, that's so sad, on the other hand, she looks so pretty!

1point

Hollysmom 4 years ago

So sad

0points

Jane Dorothy Warner 4 years ago

0points

Gina Babe 4 years ago

Awful, she looked gorgeous. I feel awful for this

0points

SirPatTheCat 4 years ago

0points

Freya_is_bored 4 years ago

Damn imagine getting married and then your city blowing up. that's awful the poor couple.

0points

Eagle Girl 4 years ago

Jumped off my seat at the explosion & I knew. Can't even imagine their horror. God Bless xoxo

0points

LagrangePoint 4 years ago

Pretty lady, nice smile. Hope they are all well.

0points

Jessica 4 years ago

They're literally not that well. That explosion destroy the hospital and killed lots of people and injured even more

1point

Load More Replies...

Silvy 4 years ago

Let's keep praying for that nation

-1point

E. Rangel 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Karen Pierre 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

alexaranzola 3 years ago

Karen Pierre +

0points

Load More Replies...

curkas 3 years ago

Karen Pierre easy

0points

tanith_coutinho 3 years ago

Karen Pierre easy

0points

catalina_p23 3 years ago

Karen Pierre what

0points

phoneuo 3 years ago

Karen Pierre yes

0points

axj9000 3 years ago

Karen Pierre like

0points

Max L. 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Back to Homepage

More about Photography

Related on Bored Panda

Photographer Captures The Exact Moment Of The Beirut Explosion In This Wedding Photoshoot

The photographer captured how the catastrophic explosion in Beirut sent a shockwave through the city and swept the bride away

The wedding photoshoot was taking place just 0.75 miles away from the port where the blast happened

Photographer Mahmoud Nakib shared the footage of the explosion on his social media

People were left horrified

Games

Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Word Search

WordroW

Jigsaw

Crossword

Sudoku

Picdoku

Killer Sudoku

Kriss Kross

Word Flower