A heavy explosion at Chad’s military weapon depot in its capital N’Djamena has left an unknown number of people dead and many injured.
Abderaman Koulamallah, the country’s Foreign minister, confirmed the incident which happened on Tuesday evening and said the blaze happened at a military depot in the Goudji area of the capital, N’Djamena.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby sent his condolences to the victims and their families, without specifying the number of casualties.
“Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and a speedy recovery to the wounded,” Deby wrote on Facebook, promising to open an investigation into the fire.
Read also: Deby Itno sworn in as Chad’s president three years after military rule
The weapons depot in Goudji is the country’s main military depot and is in the north of the city near the military headquarters, a French army base and the airport.
A resident told the Reuters news agency that he saw three wounded people on the street, while another said his neighbour was killed.
“Loud blasts woke us up,” Moustapha Adoum Mahamat said.
Read also; Chad capital echoes with gunfire amid government accusations of opposition incitement for unrest
“Our house was shaking as if someone were shooting at us. Then we saw a big fire at the military camp and smoke and things exploding in the air,” he said.
“We could see artillery flying over us.”
Mr Koulamallah, the foreign minister and government spokesman, urged the public to remain calm after the explosions.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and the president has promised an investigation.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
