Tanker blast kills 22 people in Lebanon

An explosion occurred off the coast of the Akkar province in Lebanon on a gas carrier. 22 people died, transfers TASS with reference to the head of the Lebanese Red Cross Society, George Kettane. According to him, several people are missing. In addition, 79 people were injured, informs Lebanese Red Cross. Most of them have been diagnosed with burns.

Al Arabiya clarifiesthat the explosion occurred on a LNG carrier near the village of Tleil, four kilometers from the Syrian border. According to the TV channel MTV, the tanker contained 60 thousand liters of fuel oil. The explosion thundered at 03:30, followed by a strong fire. According to eyewitnesses, rescuers managed to localize the flame. Red Cross teams are working at the scene. The reasons for the explosion, which occurred early Sunday morning, have not been established.

The incident took place against the backdrop of a fuel shortage in Lebanon. At the same time, it is smuggled into Syria, where prices are much higher. And the government does not have the funds to buy fuel abroad.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri demanded the resignation of President Michel Aoun.

Lebanese Minister of Health Hamad Hassan said the government will pay for the treatment of the victims.

On August 4, 2020, over 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate confiscated by customs officers exploded in the port of Beirut in Lebanon. Then almost 200 people died, and more than six thousand Lebanese were injured… The explosion caused massive destruction in the city. The damage caused exceeded $ 15 billion. A few days later, amid riots and protests, the Lebanese government resigned.