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Lebanese Red Cross: 20 People Dead, 79 Injured in Fuel Tank Explosion in Northern Lebanon

Lebanon, which in recent months has been suffering from a severe economic crisis and deep political instability, earlier dealt with the consequences of a massive saltpeter blast that occurred in Beirut in August 2020.
Sputnik
According to the Lebanese Red Cross, 20 people have died and 79 were injured after a fuel tanker exploded early on Sunday in Akkar, in northern Lebanon.
The blast was said to have occurred in the Tleil area of the Akkar district. According to the first reports, in particular one by Al-Arabiya, more than a hundred people were injured in the explosion.
Ambulances and law enforcement are currently at the site, taking the injured to hospitals. As the Lebanese Red Cross tweeted, at least 22 medical divisions are responding to the explosion.
Video and photos have been shared on social media ostensibly depicting the tanker that caught fire and exploded, and the burn victims.
The country has been struggling with acute gas shortages as authorities announce raids on closed gas stations to detect those that are hiding gasoline in anticipation of an increase in prices following the abolition of government subsidies. All confiscated gasoline is said to be distributed to the population for free.
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