Sylvie Claire / August 15, 2021
Our teams evacuated 20 dead bodies and more than 7 injured from the site of the tanker explosion to area hospitals, the Red Cross tweeted.
The origin of the explosion was not immediately known. Videos circulating on social networks, not verified by AFP, showed a fire raging at the site of the explosion.
Lebanon, facing a very serious economic crisis, has been facing fuel shortages for months, affecting the supply of basic necessities.
Angry protesters blocked several roads in the country on Thursday, a day after the Banque du Liban decided to lift fuel subsidies.
The army deployed to gas stations on Saturday, where long queues formed. Fuel distribution trucks were stormed in some areas by angry citizens, according to local media. The army said Saturday it had seized thousands of liters of gasoline and diesel fuel set aside by the distributors.