Twenty-two persons have died in a fuel tank explosion in Talil, Akkar province in a fuel tank explosion Lebanon Health Minister, Hamad Hassan, has said.
This happened in the early hours of Sunday August 15th 2021 despite the country struggling with a severe fuel shortage as Lebanon’s fuel crisis has worsened in recent days as it is experiencing its worst economic crisis since its 15-year civil war ended in 1990.
According to the Lebanese Red Cross, at least 79 others were injured in the blast.
The statement said the tank had exploded on a plot of land which was used as a warehouse for gravel.
It added in a statement that the army had confiscated the tank to distribute its fuel to people when the blast happened.
“Investigations were launched under the supervision of the competent judiciary to find out about circumstances of the explosion,” the statement said without providing further details.
The Lebanese health minister appealed in an interview with Lebanese television channel al-Jadeed to “sisterly countries” to treat some of the severely wounded victims.
He said 14 people were suffering from severe burns.
Seven among them have 70 to 80-per-cent burns across their bodies, the official added.
