A diesel tank just exploded from inside a bakery in Tariq al-Jdideh’s Abi Shaker area, this Friday night. The loud blast was heard in Beirut, bringing back waves of panic and terror to the entire community.
A fire burned in the area until the Civil Defense arrived and successfully put it out. The Civil Defense was able to rescue people, including a baby girl, who was retrieved from inside a burning building.
At least 4 have died in the diesel tank explosion, according to the Lebanese Red Cross, and around 50 people in the area sustained injuries, including a Syrian national.
In addition, three infants with serious burns were just transferred to the Geitaoui Hospital, and at least two people are in critical condition.
The state of the building that was impacted by the explosion is said to be unstable and susceptible to collapse, according to Yusuf Mallah of the Civil Defense.
The cause of the explosion was not immediately known, however, a source to Al-Jadeed is alleging it could be a welder.
“I am looking for my neighbor. He was called to the place of the explosion for welding work, and he’s now missing,” the source said on live TV to Al-Jadeed.
According to journalist Radwan Mortada, a probe is trying to determine whether or not there was explosive material in the Tariq al-Jdideh depot that blew up.