Libya: weapons depot explosion injures 16 and triggers protest

Following the explosion of an ammunition depot in the Libyan city of Misrata late on August 31st, the spokesperson for the Ambulance and Emergency Service has announced that 16 people were injured, according to the Libya Observer.

When the explosion was first reported by Maghrebi on September 2nd, its cause was unknown, and 6 people were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital.

The spokesperson confirmed in a statement that all of the injured were in a stable condition, and that National Safety Authority teams were continuing to fully contain the fire.

Misrata’s National Support Forces had asked residents who live near the depot in the Skerat area of Misrata to exercise extreme caution and avoid approaching any explosion fragments or touching any unidentified objects.

The residents of Skerat staged a protest on September 1st, calling for ammunition and weapons depots to be removed from their neighbourhood and transferred far from populated areas.

When the explosions started, families had to rush out of their homes, and some caused significant damage to roads and homes according to the Libya Review. Electricity and communications were temporarily disrupted in parts of the city.

The impact on residents in Skerat prompted demonstrators to take up banners rejecting the depots to be placed in residential zones due to the dangers to civilian safety. 

They drew attention to similar incidents that have occurred in Tripoli, Tajoura, Zliten, and Zuwara, which residents have said highlights the absence of effective security governance.

The protesters have called on the authorities to act urgently and decisively to relocate the depots, stressing that the current situation is fuelling fear and anxiety amongst residents, and putting them at constant risk.

One demonstrator at the protest said “We cannot live every day wondering if our homes will be destroyed by the weapons next door.”

Libya Observer/Libya Review/Maghrebi