Seychelles is reeling from a massive explosion that occurred in an industrial area on Mahé, the main island, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency.
Seychelles explosion: Island placed in state of emergency
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In the early hours of the morning, Mahé Island in Seychelles witnessed a catastrophic event. An explosion at a construction and quarrying company, where explosives were stored, sent shockwaves across the island.
The intensity was such that even the international airport, located about 4km away, suffered damage, per BBC News.
The explosion’s aftermath is nothing short of chaos. Schools across the island have been closed, and hospitals are now only accepting emergency cases.
Video footage capturing the moment of the blast shows a trail of destruction along the east coast of the island.
Sadly, the explosion wasn’t without human cost. Several people have been reported injured, and several residents near the blast site have been evacuated from their homes.
The priority now is to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected and to assess the full extent of the injuries.
Since the explosion, which happened in the wee hours of Thursday, emergency services have been working tirelessly.
The focus is on providing medical care, securing the area, and beginning the daunting task of cleanup and reconstruction. With the state of emergency in place, resources are being mobilized to respond effectively to this crisis.
Questions are already being raised about how such a significant amount of explosives could detonate.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, with a particular focus on safety protocols at the industrial site.