Fire and smoke plumes rise at the scene of an explosion in Hermel governorate on Sunday. The area is in eastern Bekaa valley, near Lebanon’s border with Syria. AFP
Fire and smoke plumes rise at the scene of an explosion in Hermel governorate on Sunday. The area is in eastern Bekaa valley, near Lebanon’s border with Syria. AFP
Fire and smoke plumes rise at the scene of an explosion in Hermel governorate on Sunday. The area is in eastern Bekaa valley, near Lebanon’s border with Syria. AFP
Fire and smoke plumes rise at the scene of an explosion in Hermel governorate on Sunday. The area is in eastern Bekaa valley, near Lebanon’s border with Syria. AFP

Ten injured in Lebanon gas depot explosion

Blast at warehouse storing gas canisters in north-east of country

The National

January 04, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

At least 10 people were injured in Lebanon on Sunday in an explosion at a warehouse storing gas canisters near the country’s border with Syria, the Lebanese Red Cross said.

The Red Cross said it sent three teams of rescuers to the village of Al Qasr in eastern Hermel, where the explosion occurred, and took the injured to hospitals.

The region is known for its many illegal border crossings into Syria, which are used by smugglers to move various types of contraband.

Smuggling takes places both ways, but has been stepped up from Lebanon into Syria since the start of the war there in 2011 and as Beirut faces a growing economic crisis and is placed under international sanctions.

Hezbollah, an ally of the Assad regime, is often accused by Lebanese media and political parties of running smuggling operations into Syria.

Lebanon is struggling with its worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.

On Women's Day
UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Lebanon