A tragic incident occurred in Chad’s capital N’Djamena when a fire broke out at a military ammunition depot, leading to a series of blasts that resulted in at least nine deaths and 46 injuries. Health Minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim expressed concerns that the death toll could rise further as many of the injured were in critical condition. The fire started in the Goudji district and caused massive explosions, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Koulamallah Abderaman.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno offered his condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He also pledged to open an investigation into the cause of the fire. Witnesses in the area described the terrifying experience of hearing loud blasts and feeling their homes shake as if under attack. Images of spent artillery shells scattered around nearby homes were shared on social media, illustrating the extent of the damage caused by the explosions.
Residents in the affected areas were forced to evacuate their homes as the blasts continued and the fire raged on. Kadidja Dakou, a mother of three, fled with her children to escape the chaos and feared that their house would collapse. Many others in the neighbourhood also sought refuge in the streets as their homes were damaged by the explosions. The ammunition depot is located near various residential areas, as well as the international airport and a French military base.
An official from the French forces reported that the blaze resulted in explosions of ammunition of various calibres, further intensifying the danger in the area. The community is now left to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating incident, with concerns about the potential long-term impact on the surrounding areas. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with storing military ammunition in populated areas, highlighting the need for stricter safety measures and protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
