Nairobi, Dec 7 (EFE).- A blast at an explosive depot storage in the insular nation Seychelles wounded at least 66 people and forced the government to declare a “state of emergency,” that lasted throughout the day until it was lifted at 18:00 local time, President Wavel Ramkalawan said.<\/p>
The explosion occurred at the CCCL explosives store in the Providence industrial area on Mah\u00e9, the largest island in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>
“For the last 10 years there were major concerns about the stock of explosives (being held),” President Ramkalawan admitted at a press conference in Victoria.<\/p>
“Four containers of explosives blew off… My heart is heavy right now and I know many families are being affected. I was shocked to see Providence, Petit Paris and Cascade in such a state. It was as if we went through a war,” highlighted Ramkalawan, describing the state of the disaster area on the east coast of Mah\u00e9.<\/p>
Despite being about four kilometers (2.48 miles) away, the international airport was also damaged.<\/p>
\u201cThe Seychelles International Airport is still operational and ferry services between islands are operating for visitors,\u201d authorities said on X (formerly Twitter).<\/p>
In addition, at least three people were killed, when heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides on the island on Wednesday night.<\/p>
\u201cEveryone is being asked to stay at home. All schools will be closed. Only workers in the essential services and persons traveling will be allowed free movement,\u201d Ramkalawan said in a statement before the press conference.<\/p>
The president made the decision “to allow the emergency services to carry out essential work.” <\/p>
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, sent his support to the island nation.<\/p>
\u201cThe entire African Union family stands in strong solidarity and prayer with President Ramkalawan, the govt & people of Seychelles in the face of torrential rains following a powerful explosion on Mahe island that has caused tragic loss of life & massive infrastructural damage,\u201d Mahamat wrote on X, formerly Twitter. EFE<\/p>
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