TV Guest Remarkably Keeps His Cool as Two Massive Car Bombs Explode Behind Him Live on Air

A guest being interviewed live in a studio inside the Syrian state television building kept his cool Sunday night as not one but two massive car bombs exploded behind him live on air.

The Syrian state news agency SANA reports that a double car bombing targeted its state television headquarters in central Damascus, lightly damaging the building.

At the precise moment the bombings were underway, an Iraqi television station was conducting a remote interview - ironically on the subject of terrorist bombings - with a guest identified by the Sydney Morning Herald as Syrian political analyst Hussam Shoaib. After the first bomb detonates with a large boom and flash of light that is visible through the window in the  background, Shoaib barely ducks, instead only leaning slightly forward in his chair.

“We ask God for your safety, Mr. Shoaib. Thanks God for your safety,” the interviewer says once it’s clear the guest is safe.

The Syrian political analyst barely ducks as the first bomb explodes live on air (Screenshot: YouTube)

He answers, “We are fine. We are fine. And we are steadfast. Do you hear me?” Shoaib is apparently keen on continuing the interview.

The anchor assures Shoaib he is still on the air and the conversation continues.

Shoaib barely gets through his next sentence, saying “Please continue your questions” when a second, more massive bomb explodes behind him as an orange ball of fire is seen through the window.

“I pray for your safety, Mr. Shoaib, and for all the Syrians,” the anchor says.

Though he still looks cool and calm after the second explosion, Shoaib appears to notice that his earpiece is no longer working, at which time he removes it, glances out the window behind him and leaves the set.

Here's a video taken from inside the building the moment the bombs went off:

Ironically, in the minutes before the explosions, Shoaib was discussing the prevalence of terrorist bombings, comparing the events in Syria to Iraq’s experience.

According to a longer clip translated by the Israeli news site Walla, Shoaib was saying this moments before the first bomb exploded: “Just like is happening in Iraq – explosions on a daily basis – behind which stand terrorist groups…they also stand behind the bombings in Syria. And they’re supported by states in the region especially Turkey and Saudi Arabia.”

While car bombs are a regular feature of the raging civil war in Syria, it’s rare the event would be captured live on television. And perhaps even more rare that a guest would maintain his composure.

Iran’s Al-Alam News reports that the Al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front claimed responsibility for the attack which SANA says was carried out by two suicide bombers. According to SANA, each bomb included 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of explosives.

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