Solace Secure
Monitoring 24/7
On the 4th August 2020 an explosion devastated Beirut, killing at least 220 people, injuring more than 6,000 and displacing over 300,000.
Solace provided lifesaving advice to our clients who raised an SOS through our platform Solace Secure in the immediate aftermath of the explosion. With traveller tracking functionality from the platform, we were able to pinpoint the whereabouts and of clients in-country and confirm their safety.
The 24/7 crisis response team gave reassurance to the affected travellers and to line managers located elsewhere, to inform them that their staff were accounted for and safe whilst providing continuous updates, as per the pre-agreed client protocols.
We further supported those arriving in country through additional Journey Management services and helped in-country travellers relocate outside of the city to a safe location.
Risk alerts before mainstream media
Throughout this time, Solace posted frequent intelligence alerts to Solace Secure, detailing key updates of the situation as soon as they came in, on all occasions Solace shared intelligence updates at least an hour before the mainstream media, ensuring all clients were kept up to date with accurate information.
15.55 GMT
First Explosion
First explosion at Beirut port occurs, the initial blast was smaller in size and attended by local fire crews.
16.08 GMT
Second Explosion
The second explosion and most powerful blast, takes place killing at least 220 people, injuring more than 6000 and displacing around 300,000.
16.11 GMT
First SOS received from travelling personnel
Solace response team made immediate contact with 2 travellers following an SOS via Solace Secure app, located 1.36km and 5.19lm from the blast. Their safety was confirmed by crisis response team.
16.18 GMT
Contact made with points of contact
Martin Veale, Operations Director for Solace Global Risk, made contact with points of contact to inform them of SOS received by their travelling staff.
16.19 GMT
Severe intelligence alert published
First severe intelligence alert is verified and published in Solace Secure
16.43 GMT
First reporting by local press about incident
Daily Star Lebanon share their first tweet about the explosion
17.06 GMT
First reporting by BBC Breaking News
The BBC share their first tweet reporting on the blast
Security services to support your Duty of Care
Due to the fast response from Solace Global crisis response and operations team, all travelling staff were accounted for quickly and all points of contact were notified of their safety and kept up to date with summary reports. Further measures were put in place with our local partners to enable the safe movement of staff within the country.