Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 20, 2023. Portal/Caitlin Ochs/ File Photo ACKNOWLEDGE RIGHTS
NAIROBI, Dec 7 (Portal) – An explosion at an explosives warehouse destroyed buildings and caused massive damage in an industrial area on the Seychelles’ main island of Mahe, officials said, prompting the president to declare a state of emergency on Thursday.
The explosion rocked the island as heavy rains triggered floods that killed three people, the president told reporters on Thursday, calling for a minute’s silence.
Footage broadcast on national television showed streets covered in deep mud and littered with debris and uprooted trees.
“Following an explosion at the CCCL explosives storage facility, which caused massive damage in the Providence Industrial Estate and surrounding areas as well as major destruction through flooding due to heavy rains, the President has declared a state of emergency today, December 7,” President Das said Wavel Ramkalawan’s office said in a statement.
“Everyone is asked to stay at home. All schools will be closed. Only workers in essential services and travelers are allowed to move freely.”
The government’s official Visit Seychelles account on X said the international airport and inter-island ferries remained operational for tourists.
The Seychelles, a major tourist destination, consists of 115 islands and is the least populous country in Africa with around 100,000 inhabitants.
Reporting by Aaron Ross and George Thande; writing by Giulia Paravicini and Aaron Ross; Editing by Tom Hogue and Andrew Heavens
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