At least four people have died and multiple wounded after an explosion of a diesel tank in western Beirut on Friday, the Lebanese Red Cross revealed.
Lebanese media had earlier reported, citing witnesses, that a fuel oil tank had exploded in the Tarik al-Jadida residential area in western Beirut, with preliminary data saying that the injured were receiving treatment from Lebanese Red Cross Society medical workers.
As a result of the explosion, a strong fire broke out. Fire brigades have promptly arrived at the scene to fight the flames.
Lebanese Army soldiers and civil defence volunteers started to evacuate people from nearby houses.
Numerous photos and videos of the fire, black plumes of smoke, as well as firefighters working at the scene have emerged online.
On 15 September, a fire broke out in a shopping mall in the centre of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, although no one was injured. On 10 September, another fire occurred at oil and tire depots at the port.
A devastating blast in Beirut’s port on 4 August damaged around half of the city, killing at least 190 people and injuring thousands of others.