ALBAWABA - Senior governmental officials reported that a massive fire engulfed an ammunition depot in N'Djamena, Chad resulting in explosions, claiming the lives of many and injuring several others.
UPDATE
A report by the Ministry of Health revealed that at least nine people have been killed in the tragic explosion, in addition to 46 people reportedly injured.
Health Minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim stated that the toll was in danger of rising as many of those wounded were in an "extremely serious" condition.
Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah took to his social media account to report that a fire broke out in the Goudji area of the capital. He urged residents of the surrounding areas to remain calm without providing further details regarding the fire.
Eyewitnesses reported witnessing munitions launch into the sky and detonate, lighting the surroundings in red and black. According to the report, explosions kept going for almost an hour and a half after the first detonation.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby took to Facebook to provide a statement regarding the tragic fire that claimed the lives of many.
"A fire in a mutation depot at the strategic reserve camp caused human and material damage. Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the bereaved families and quick recovery to the injured" Itno said in his statement.
He also added that an official investigation will be launched into the incident to determine the cause behind the explosion and punish those responsible.
Blasts from the ammunition depot in the capital's Goudji district could be heard from kilometers away, according to AFP journalists, with smoke billowing over the surrounding area. "One of the explosions blew off the roof of our house," Kadidja Dakou, a resident of Amsinene near Goudji, told AFP.
