Ammo Depot Fire Triggers Deadly Blasts in Chad

A fire that broke out at a military ammunition depot in N'Djamena, Chad's capital, triggered a series of powerful explosions, causing extensive damage to a medical clinic located 100 meters away.

The As Salam Medical Center bore the brunt of the blasts, with manager Mahamout Hamit reporting that half of the clinic's buildings were destroyed.

"The building shook violently. Fortunately, there were no human casualties, but we had to evacuate all staff and patients immediately," Hamit said.

The explosions, which lit up the night sky and sent artillery shells raining down on surrounding neighborhoods, also severely impacted the clinic's equipment and facilities.

While at least nine people were killed and over 46 injured in the wider area from the ammunition depot blasts, the clinic had no reports of casualties among patients or staff due to the prompt evacuation.

The explosions lit up the sky as thick smoke covered the clouds in the West African nation, setting off frantic efforts to extinguish the fire as residents fled their homes for safety.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and President Mahamat Deby Itno said an investigation would be conducted.

Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby visited the site of a deadly ammunition depot explosion in the capital N'Djamena, saying the injured would receive state care as he called for future military storage sites to be located outside cities.

The blasts triggered by a fire at the depot near N'Djamena's airport, killed at least nine people and wounded over 46 others, health authorities said.

Walking through the debris-strewn area, Deby said the situation was under control but lessons must be learned.

Chad, a country of nearly 18 million people, has been reeling from political turmoil before and after a controversial presidential election that resulted in Deby Itno’s victory.