A tragic incident unfolded in Chad’s capital N’Djamena as a fire erupted at a military ammunition depot, leading to a series of devastating blasts that resulted in casualties and injuries.
The fire ignited in the Goudji district of N’Djamena late on Tuesday, causing massive explosions as described by Foreign Affairs Minister Koulamallah Abderaman in a statement shared on Facebook.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno confirmed the loss of lives and injuries due to the fire, although specific numbers were not provided.
Expressing condolences to the affected families and wishing a swift recovery to the wounded, President Deby pledged to launch a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.
Witnesses in the vicinity reported seeing injured individuals being rushed to hospitals, with one resident recounting the tragic death of a shopkeeper struck by a shell.
The harrowing experience of loud explosions and the sight of artillery flying overhead was shared by residents like Moustapha Adoum Mahamat, highlighting the chaos and destruction caused by the fire at the military camp.
Residents like Kadidja Dakou described the fear and chaos that ensued, with houses damaged and roofs blown off by the powerful explosions.
The ammunition depot, situated in a densely populated area near the international airport and a French troops base, witnessed explosions of various calibres of ammunition, according to a French forces official.
Link from www.aljazeera.com