A fire sparked explosions at a military weapons stockpile in Chad’s capital, killing nine people.
On Wednesday, government spokeswoman Abderaman Koulamallah confirmed the story, saying that 46 people were being hospitalized for various injuries after the blasts shocked inhabitants awake late Tuesday in the Goudji district of the capital, N’Djamena.
The explosions lighted up the sky as dense smoke coated the clouds in the West African country, sparking frantic efforts to put out the fire as locals fled their houses for safety.
The cause of the incident was not immediately determined, and President Mahamat Deby Itno stated that an investigation would be performed.
“Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the bereaved families and quick recovery to the injured,” Deby posted to Facebook. He later visited the accident site as well as hospitals where the injured were being treated.
According to neighbor Oumar Mahamat, many in the area panicked after the explosion, believing it was an armed attack.