Fuel tank blast, fire kill 4 people, wound dozens in Beirut

At least four people have lost their lives and many others sustained injuries when a fuel tank exploded in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, more than two months after a colossal explosion almost razed to the ground the Beirut port.

The deadly incident occurred in the Tariq al-Jadida neighborhood of the capital on Friday evening, when a fuel tank went off and caused a large fire to break out in some nearby buildings, spreading panic across the city.

“The number of victims increased to four,” the Lebanese Red Cross tweeted, updating the toll from two dead.

According to the Beirut-based Al-Jadeed television, nearly 30 people, including children, were hurt in the blaze. It also ran footage showing flames leaping into the night sky.

The immediate cause of the fire was not known.

MG