Under Mysterious Circumstances… Weapons and Ammunition Depot Explodes in Misrata, Western Libya
The Al-Ghiran area of Misrata, in northwestern Libya, witnessed a major explosion on Friday evening inside a weapons and ammunition depot.
According to local media reports, the depot belongs to one of the military brigades stationed near Al-Sakt Prison. The explosion reportedly caused rockets and ammunition to be scattered randomly across the surrounding area.
Social media users posted videos documenting the explosion. The nearby road was also closed to traffic as a precautionary measure to protect residents, amid concerns that ammunition could continue to be propelled into the surrounding area.
No official information has so far been released regarding the cause of the explosion or whether there were any casualties. Security measures have nevertheless been put in place in the area to deal with the aftermath of the incident and secure the perimeter surrounding the weapons depot.
The Libyan News Agency reported that “media sources indicated that an explosion occurred on Friday evening inside a weapons depot belonging to one of the military brigades in the Al-Ghiran area of Misrata, while no official information has been provided regarding the cause of the explosion or whether there were any casualties.”
It added that security measures were being implemented in the area to address the consequences of the incident and secure the vicinity of the weapons depot.
The Al-Sakt Main Correction and Rehabilitation Institution reassured the families and relatives of detainees that the situation inside the prison was stable and that all detainees were safe and well.
The institution also urged the families and relatives of detainees to remain reassured and not to pay attention to inaccurate news or information circulating online, advising them to obtain information from the institution’s official sources.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a massive explosion that shook the city of Misrata, followed by smoke rising from the headquarters of the Al-Asifa Brigade, located opposite Al-Sakt Prison.
Libya continues to face a dual-government situation between the east and west of the country, while Misrata experiences periodic security tensions.
The weapons depot explosion occurred as Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity Abdelhamid Dbeibah was visiting Misrata on Friday.
