Several killed, many injured in explosion at south Lebanon Palestinian camp

Several people were killed and many injured in an explosion at south Lebanon Palestinian camp on Friday.

The explosion took place at a Hamas weapons depot in the Burj Al-Shemali camp and a judge had ordered security forces to launch an investigation, reported state media.

A Palestinian source inside the camp said at least 12 people had been injured and there were an unknown number of fatalities, reported Arab News.

Videos from the scene shared by local media show a number of small bright red flashes above the southern city, followed by a large explosion and the sound of glass breaking.

Shehab News Agency, seen as close to Hamas, quoted a Palestinian source as saying the explosion was caused by the ignition of oxygen canisters stored for use in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The surrounding area had been evacuated and rescue crews had deployed, the Palestinian source said, reported Arab News.

A number of armed Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the Fatah Movement, hold effective control over roughly a dozen Palestinian camps in the country, which Lebanese authorities by custom do not enter.

( With inputs from ANI )

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