'We must go on,' says Lebanese designer Elie Saab after blast

Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab and his son, the brand's director, Elie Saab Jr. are seen during an interview with Reuters, following a massive explosion at the Beirut port area, in Faqra, Lebanon, August 15, 2020. Picture taken August 15, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

BEIRUT (Reuters) - It felt like an eternity rather than just a few minutes as haute couture fashion designer Elie Saab scrambled to make sure his 200 staff members, including his son, were safe when this month's massive explosion shook Beirut.

Like many Lebanese on Aug. 4 when chemicals at the port detonated, the 56-year-old felt the blast was on his doorstep.