- A fire at a military munitions depot in the Chadian capital caused explosions, killing nine people and injuring more than 40.
- The cause of the fire is not yet known, but residents panicked, thinking it was an armed attack.
- These explosions follow political unrest fueled by a controversial presidential election that resulted in the victory of Deby Itno. He led the country as interim president during the period of military rule following his father’s death in 2021.
Nine people were killed and more than 40 injured when a fire triggered explosions at a military munitions depot in the Chadian capital, an official said Wednesday.
Government spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah said 46 people were being treated for various injuries after explosions shook residents from their sleep Tuesday evening in the Goudji district of the capital, N’Djamena. The situation has been brought under control, Koulamallah said.
Explosions lit up the sky while thick smoke covered the clouds. West African nationsparking frantic efforts to put out the fire as residents fled their homes for safety.
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The cause of the fire was not immediately clear and President Mahamat Deby Itno said an investigation would be carried out.
“Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the bereaved families and speedy recovery to the injured,” Déby said on Facebook. He then went to the scene of the accident as well as to the hospitals where the injured were being treated.
The residents of the neighborhood panicked thinking the explosion was an armed attacksaid resident Oumar Mahamat.
Members of the Chadian security forces watch as an armored vehicle drives to the scene of a fire at an ammunition depot in N’Djamena, June 19, 2024. (Joris Bolomey/AFP via Getty Images)
Local media reported that the explosions began just before midnight, as nearby buildings shook and munitions were thrown from the depot with explosive force.
Authorities called on residents to stay out of the area, which was retaken by security forces collecting scattered artillery shells.
Allamine Moussa, a resident, called on the government to “urgently come to our aid” after he and other residents fled their homes.
“Many families have recorded deaths and it’s sad,” Moussa said.
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Chad, a country of nearly 18 million people, has been rocked by political unrest before and after a controversial presidential election this resulted in Deby Itno’s victory. He had led the country as interim president during the period of military rule following his father’s death in 2021.
Cameron Hudson, an Africa expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the explosions may not be entirely a coincidence and “feel more like a message” to the government, which has been embroiled in internal political tensions as well as regional tensions over the war in neighboring Sudan.
Recent allegations regarding Chad’s alleged involvement in the war in Sudan create an untenable position for Deby Itno, said Hudson, a former US official. “A house divided cannot stand.”
