An Iranian-backed Shi’ite Muslim Hezbollah arms depot exploded in Southern Lebanon on Tuesday, a security source reported. The explosion injured many people and also sends a fresh shockwave through a country still dealing with its worst crisis in three decades.
The security source said the cause of the explosion was due to a technical error. Besides, the explosion shot a large cloud of black smoke into the atmosphere.
The blast shook the village of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon. The area is the political base of a heavily armed and politically influential party that fought wars with neighboring Israel.
The explosion further shocked a country dealing with its worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. Meanwhile, it is still reeling from the catastrophic blast at the port of Beirut that tore through the capital. The explosion killed at least 190 people.
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After the Beirut blast on August 4, the resulting fires at the port and somewhere else in the capital triggered chaos in Beirut and around the country. Moreover, the country’s economy is in collapse, while legislators are yet to decide on how to shape a new government.
Hezbollah delays appointment
The former government resigned following Beirut blast and is only serving as a caretaker. Creating a new cabinet hit a logjam when Hezbollah and its key Shi’ite allies insisted on the appointment of finance and other ministers.
Another intelligence source said that Hezbollah had set up a security cord around Tuesday’s blast spot. That is about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Beirut. Journalists don’t have access to the area.
There was no immediate comment by Hezbollah. Al Manar, the group’s television station, said in a news broadcast that the cause of the explosion remains unknown.
Security sources claimed there were many casualties without providing any figures.
A witness close the village claimed they felt the ground shaking.
The video from the area transmitted by Al-Jadeed shows the men walking over the charred field covered with debris.
