N’DJAMENA, June 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fire that tore through a huge military ammunition depot in Chad’s capital N’Djamena killed at least nine people and wounded dozens more, officials said, warning the toll could rise.
The blaze, which started late on Tuesday, sent powerful blasts into the night sky and the exploding ordnance shook buildings miles away.
Chad’s Health Minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim told journalists that the toll was in danger of rising as many of the 46 wounded were in an “extremely serious” condition.
A visit to the scene Wednesday revealed unexploded shells and other munitions scattered on the ground and the burnt-out wreckage of what looked like military vehicles.
Government spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah said the cause was not “criminal” but an investigation was under way.
According to initial indications, several people died in the ammunition storeroom, he said.
“There are fewer deaths and less damage than we foresaw. We were expecting dozens and dozens of deaths,” Koulamallah, who is also foreign minister, said. “There aren’t many civilians who lost their lives.”
The sky burst into flames above the Goudji area — where the army’s largest depot of ammunition is located — for several hours before tapering off and finally ceasing after midnight.
The explosions shook buildings as far as seven kilometres away and the flames were visible from far off.
“The soldiers had time to evacuate the vehicles, heavy weapons etc. and were able themselves to take shelter,” Koulamallah said.
Regional Planning Minister Mahamat Assileck Halata told reporters at the scene that the fire was “contained” and the situation was under control.
“I call on people to remain calm and serene and to avoid handling any object that may have landed,” Assileck said, adding deminers were at work.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno during the night offered his condolences to victims’ families.
There are multiple homes in the neighbourhood that is the site of the depot, which lies near the international airport and a base where French troops are stationed.
“For the moment, no French military personnel have been wounded”, an official with the French forces said.
Chad, one of the world’s poorest nations, is considered vital in the fight to stop the march of jihadists through the Sahel region. — NNN-AGENCIES