Thursday, December 7, 2023

Seychelles declares state of emergency after explosion

VICTORIA, Seychelles

The Seychelles have declared a state of emergency and ordered citizens to stay indoors after a huge explosion and heavy flooding.

President Wavel Ramkalawan urged people except essential workers to stay at home following the blast at a store in Mahe, the largest island in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

His office said in a statement on X: 'Following an explosion at the CCCL explosives store that has caused massive damage... and major destruction caused by flooding due to heavy rains, the President has declared a State of Emergency for today the 7th December.

'All schools will be closed. Only workers in the essential services and persons travelling will be allowed free movement. This is to allow the emergency services to carry out essential work.'

The explosion occurred in the Providence industrial area in Mahe and caused huge damage there and to surrounding areas, the presidency said, without elaborating further. 

Several people have been injured in the explosion after three were killed in the flooding when their homes collapsed the BBC reports.

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