Deadly blaze breaks out at ammunition depot in Chad
Several fatalities and injuries occurred following a significant fire outbreak at an ammunition depot in Chad, resulting in substantial explosions, as confirmed by senior government officials.
According to Foreign Minister Koulamallah Abderaman, the blaze erupted at a military storage facility in the Goudji area of N’Djamena, the capital city.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby expressed condolences to the victims and their families, refraining from specifying the casualty count.
Unverified video footage reportedly shows powerful blasts illuminating the night sky, audible from miles away.
Witnesses reported ammunition detonations of various types, with journalists from AFP noting that the fire caused weapons to discharge into the air.
A French official, speaking anonymously, corroborated reports of “explosions of ammunition of all calibres.”
Residents recounted chaotic scenes, with one telling Reuters that he saw three injured individuals on the street, and another confirming the death of a neighbor.
Moustapha Adoum Mahamat described being awakened by loud explosions, feeling his house shake, and witnessing a large fire and airborne explosions at the military compound.
“We could see artillery fly over us.”
Foreign Minister and government spokesman Koulamallah Abderaman urged the public to remain calm after the explosions.
“Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and a speedy recovery to the wounded,” President Deby wrote on Facebook.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and the president has promised an investigation.
