Beirut-Sana
The Lebanese Council of Ministers in charge of the caretaker declared Monday a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion at a fuel depot in the town of Al-Talil, Akkar, north Lebanon.
The Cabinet stated in a statement that "Monday is a day of national mourning for the victims of the Akkar explosion, provided that the flags are lowered and regular programs on radio and television stations be modified in proportion to the painful tragedy."
The Minister of Health in the Lebanese caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, announced earlier that the number of victims of the explosion had risen to 22, and more than 79 were injured.
The Lebanese National News Agency indicated that the circumstances and circumstances of the explosion are still unclear, pending the results of the investigations and hearing the testimonies of the injured, most of whom gathered around the tank to fill gasoline, while the Lebanese Army, the Red Cross and the Civil Defense continue their search for possible missing persons.