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Early on August 15, a fuel tanker exploded in the northern Lebanon’s region of Akkar. At least 20 people have been killed and dozens more injured, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.
At least 79 people were injured and were being taken to local hospitals. The bodies were so charred that it was not possible to identify the victims.
The explosion reportedly took place when the Lebanese army was distributing gasoline from a hidden fuel storage tanker it had confiscated. About 200 people were nearby when the explosion took place. According to the official National News Agency, it was a result of scuffles between citizens.
⭕️#Lebanon: Video from #Akkar pic.twitter.com/tNFM7P6QDT
— 🅻-🆃🅴🅰🅼 (@L_Team10) August 15, 2021
The accident in the Akkar was the deadliest explosion in Lebanon since the Beirut blast on August 4, 2020 that killed at least 214 and wounded thousands.
٤آب + ١٥آب= #عهد_جهنم pic.twitter.com/bFjD1G7Nr6
— Saad Hariri (@saadhariri) August 15, 2021
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri claimed on Twitter that two explosions are similar.
“If this was a country that respects its people, its officials would resign, from the president to the very last person responsible for this neglect.” – he added.
The accident hit the country when it faces the deepest economic crisis.
A fuel shortage that was blamed on smuggling and government’s inability to secure the fuel deliveries, has caused mass protests and fighting for petrol.
A day before, Lebanese soldiers were deployed to petrol station, forcing their owners to sell fuel to citizens. The army was also active along the border with Syria, confiscating fuel from smugglers.
🇱🇧Lebanon Fuel Crisis:
Lebanese stormed empty gas stations today to protest fuel shortages. It is believed that Iran has stopped exporting oil products to Lebanon due to fears of Israeli strikes on its tankers.#Lebanon pic.twitter.com/6LhJVCM3iR— The RAGEX (@theragex) August 14, 2021
The new accident is another blow to the country and its government.
