Yemen Gas Depot Explosion Claims Lives and Injures Dozens
A gas depot explosion in central Yemen has left several dead and over 70 injured, according to medical reports released on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the remote Al Zahir district of Al Bayda province, approximately 270 kilometers southeast of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital. Initial reports confirmed five fatalities at the scene, while five more succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.
Anees al Asbahi, a spokesperson for the health ministry under the Houthi-led rebel administration, provided a different toll, stating that 17 individuals had lost their lives and 74 sustained injuries, with 50 of those cases being critical.
Many of the victims reportedly suffered severe burns caused by the ensuing fires triggered by the explosion.
Witness accounts detailed that a blaze originating in a fuel storage tank at a gas station in Al Zahir caused a chain reaction, resulting in four successive explosions in nearby gas storage tanks. These explosions unleashed massive fireballs that caused widespread devastation.
Yemen, a nation grappling with ongoing civil conflict since 2014, frequently experiences fires and explosions at fuel stations and storage facilities. These incidents often stem from inadequate safety protocols at locations that supply fuel for vehicles and gas cylinders used for cooking.
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